Traveller’s tips for less waste
There are many easy, tried and true ways to reduce the waste you create when travelling.
PACKING
Pack toothpaste tabs, solid soap bars, deodorant bars, or shampoo bars. They're longer lasting, multi-functional, spill-proof, and way easier to get through airport security. Or invest in some non-spill multi-use bottles to fill with your own products.
Think multi-purpose: baking soda can be used as a cleanser, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, laundry detergent, and more. Same goes for Castile soap which can also be used for most personal care, and also detergent and cleaning.
Pack your re-useable water bottle, a re-useable shopping bag, a spork, or a bamboo utensil set so that you never have to use plastic disposables.
Pack a re-useable napkin or small absorbent towel or cloth that can be used instead of napkins or to wrap up snacks or food items.
Avoid disposable products like cotton pads, q-tips, disposable razors and disposable feminine hygiene products. They all go straight to the landfill.
Pack a capsule wardrobe so you can easily mix and match and layer.
TRANSIT
Use e-tickets for all transport.
Avoid all paper receipts.
Carbon offset your flight.
Use your own phone or tablet’s headphones to plug into inflight entertainment.
Avoid airplane waste products by packing snacks, using your own jar or bottle and saying no to single use straws and napkins.
AT YOUR DESTINATION
Eat at sit down restaurants and use plates and silverware.
Say no to extra wrapping papers, napkins, or containers.
For takeaway food, try to aim for establishments that use eco-friendly, recyclable, or better yet, compostable food containers, utensils, napkins, or straws.
Use your backpack or pack a lightweight, foldable tote bag if you need an extra bag.
Shop at farmers markets or natural shops for the best local and seasonal produce and to buy bulk foods like nuts and beans.
Try to eat and drink as local as possible by patronising business that strive to source local produce. Shop for local and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Drink local microbrews. Support cafes who roast their own coffee beans.
Walk as much as possible. When you can’t walk, take public transport as often as you can to reduce your carbon footprint.
Stay in homes instead of hotels. In homes you can recycle, compost, make your own products and cook your own meals.
If you do stay in a hotel, put the no housekeeping sign up so all your linens don't get laundered every day and waste water.
Be mindful of your consumption. Conserve water. Turn off lights. Lower the heat or the AC.
Content created by Zero Waste Revolution, a not-for-profit community organisation that worked to transform Canberra into a zero waste community, by sharing knowledge and inspiring change between 2018 to 2023. View more of their work on YouTube.