Since I walked through Mexico’s streets, I became really aware of the problem with plastic waste. Zero Waste on Travel At that time I was not yet in my consciousness, although I had always paid attention to plastic avoidance, but this experience changed everything again.
Most of the time, the garbage was just on the side of the road, carelessly thrown by people. I thought it was so incredibly horrible! Animals on the meadow walked between plastic. Waste disposal only took place irregularly, illegal landfills shaped the landscape and the plastic simply did not stop. Every time I went to the market, I got lots of bags.
This experience in Mexico made me completely rethink my travel behaviour. Zero Waste on Travel For me, not only does it mean to cause as little waste as possible when travelling, but also to develop a sustainable awareness of how much plastic we bring into nature, how harmful it actually is and what we can do to prevent it.
That's why I have these 16 tips Written together for you, how you travel easily Less plastic waste Causes:
Table of contents
Zero Waste on Travel: 16 Tips
- Zero waste kit: fabric bag, straw, spork or goose
- Shop at markets and cook yourself (bring your own containers, vegetable nets, etc.)
- Solid care products (shampoo, soap, toothbrush tablets)
- Buy coffee-to-go mugs if you drink a lot of coffee on the go
- Bring mini sewing sets to sew buttons instead of buying new ones.
- Buy products that can be repaired
- If possible, download boarding passes and do not print them
- Bring your own slipper for the hotel
- Reusable menstrual articles (menstrual cup, cloth pads, menstrual underwear, ...)
- Small microfiber towel instead of wet wipes
- Buy and take washing nuts at home in the unpacked store
- Bamboo toothbrush
- Razor planks
- If souvenir, then also useful (certain spices and cook the food at home)
- Inform the airline that you prefer your own food, then this is taken into account and waste is avoided, food in lunch boxes and / or beeswax wipes packed.
- Reusable drinking bottle e.g. made of stainless steel, foldable drinking bottle (I personally find it better because it is empty lighter) or a water bag
More about sustainable travel
If you are interested in more tips for sustainable travel, check out this article: Sustainable travel: 26 ways to consciously discover the world.
More tips on Zero Waste while traveling can be found in these blogs:
Do you have any more tips for me to travel to Zero Waste? I am curious about your experiences to avoid garbage while discovering the world! Leave me a comment!
Frequently Asked Questions about Zero Waste Travel
What is Zero Waste Travel?
Zero waste travel means producing as little waste as possible throughout the journey. The goal is to avoid single-use products and instead rely on reusable alternatives. This is not about perfection, but about making conscious decisions that burden the environment less.
How to start a zero-waste journey?
The first step is the right preparation: Pack reusable items such as a water bottle, fabric bag and your own cutlery. Inform yourself in advance about local conditions, such as recycling opportunities or markets without packaging. Start small and gradually climb – every garbage avoided makes a difference.
What is the most environmentally friendly way to travel?
The most environmentally friendly way to travel is by rail, especially for routes within Europe, as it emits significantly less CO2 than planes or cars. If longer distances are inevitable, you should choose direct flights and use compensation programs. Travelling in smaller groups and longer stays at the destination also reduce the ecological footprint per day.
What should you avoid to travel sustainably?
Avoid disposable products like plastic bottles, to-go mugs, and plastic bags by bringing your own reusable alternatives. Avoid unnecessary short-haul flights and choose more environmentally friendly means of transport instead. Buying cheap plastic souvenirs or using disposable toiletries in hotels should also be avoided.
