ZERO WASTE TRAVELING

Acting eco-friendly does NOT automatically mean restriction, as many people think. You can still spoil yourself with goodies, go out with friends and even travel the world! With the right equipment and mindset at hand, a zero waste vacation is as easy as pie. So get your suitcase and passport ready, there are so many beautiful places waiting to be discovered!

Going zero waste does not imply that you have to lock yourself up at home and grieve about the state of the planet. There is nothing that prevents you from going out there and enjoying your life. Some small preparations, a cleverly packed travel bag, and the adventure can begin!

1) The basic conditions

Every journey begins with the first step. In our case: the preparation. When choosing the destination and booking the means of transportation as well as the accomodation, you can already look for the best option. It is for example generally better to take the train, a bus or to use carpooling than driving alone or taking a plane. Especially for short distances or domestic trips, the trainride is often as long and costs almost the same as a flight.

By now, there are also lots of hotels that start to reconsider their way of working and to implement sustainability wherever possible. This can be by using green power, serving organic food, avoiding plastic packaging or investing in environmental projects. Simply keep your eyes open and look for a conscientious accommodation that fits your beliefs and your budget. Or you aim for a place where you have a whole apartment for yourself and can easily make yourself at home.

2) I packed my bag...

...and in it I put as many eco-friendly tools as possible. Sure, we don't want the travel bag to become too heavy (especially if you are on a backpacking trip) and we shouldn't have to choose between saving the planet and changing our underwear, but some small items can already have a great effect. A refillable stainless steel bottle for example, to stay hydrated throughout the day. Instead of a toothpaste tube or a shampoo bottle you can take the respective waste-free version. Like that, you are not dependent on whatever the hotel provides or what you find in the supermarkets on-site. Consider taking some vegetable bags with you as well, they don't take much room in your suitcase and can become useful whenever you feel like a little snack or in case you have to do groceries for dinner in your accomodation. A reusable drinking straw and / or napkins should not be missing in your zero waste toolkit in case you are planning on going to a cafe or restaurant.

You see, there are many little helpers waiting to accompany you during your journey. If they are not too heavy and you still have some room left, do not hesitate to pack them.

3) I spy with my little eye...

When going on a trip, it is all about exploring. Experiencing new cultures and discovering new places. What if you would add a visit to a local market to your schedule? Or maybe you can do your groceries in a zero waste store on-site? Does the city you are traveling to have some fancy coffee shops or restaurants that are focused on locally produced food or zero waste? I am sure that no matter where you go, there are interesting localities to be discovered. Not only does this give you a good feeling regarding your aim to travel without producing too much waste, it also gives you a very special insight into the local customs, culture and mindset. So don't hesitate to explore the surroundings off the beaten tracks.

4) It's all about balance

If your big dream is to see the cherry tree blossoms in Japan, you might not be able to avoid taking a plane to go there. The local specialty that you want your mother to taste will probably be packaged for the transport. And maybe, the tap water in your destination country is not potable, so you have to rely on plastic bottles. Do not despair! Instead, start looking for ways to compensate the things that cannot be avoided. Prepare your own snack so that you don't have to buy a sandwich wrapped in plastic, use your own, eco-friendly shampoo instead of the one provided by the hotel, or collect trash in the city or at the beach you're traveling to. You can also support organizations that deal with reforestation or cleaning up the oceans. Every single gesture, however small it will seem to you, will contribute to the greater good.

5) Talk about it

It is true that establishing and executing a more sustainable lifestyle is often easier within your own four walls than it is on the go. Other countries have other habits regarding waste disposal, you won't have the same conditions and tools at your destination as you have them at hand at home. The whole daily routine is completely different. Or maybe you are traveling because you are invited to your grandparents, and they have never heard about a zero waste store. Instead of starving because they are using conventional packed ingredients to cook your favorite dish, simply tell them what you know and see what happens. Ask the seller in the bakery in Italy to put the pastry into your reusable bag and try to use your own drinking straw in the cocktail bar in Poland.

Don't try to teach anyone, present the whole topic as an important yet interesting and even enjoyable thing. As soon as the first impulse is given, you will see that most people are eager to hear more about it. And who knows, maybe you will leave a tiny positive footprint and the motivation to change when you go back home. Wouldn't this be wonderful?