You know, for years, packing for any trip, big or small, just meant a whole load of plastic. I’d look at my suitcase and see those little travel-sized bottles, plastic bags for leaky things, snack wrappers… it was a mountain of the stuff. Honestly, it started to bug me. After one particular trip, I saw the pile of single-use plastic I’d generated, and I just thought, “Right, that’s it. I’ve got to change how I do this.” It wasn’t some big eco-awakening overnight, more like a slow burn of realizing I could do better.
So, I started my little plastic-free packing project. And let me tell you, it was a bit of a journey, not a quick fix. I decided to tackle things bit by bit, ’cause trying to change everything at once? Too much hassle, and I knew I’d just give up.
My First Big Challenge: The Toiletry Bag
This was the main culprit, absolutely stuffed with plastic. So, this is where I focused my energy first.
- Shampoo: I switched to solid shampoo bars. Took a couple of tries to find one I actually liked, mind you. The first one made my hair feel like straw. But I persevered, and now I’ve got a favorite that works great. I just pop it in a little tin.
- Conditioner: Same story. I found solid conditioner bars. Again, a bit of trial and error, but worth it.
- Soap: This was an easy one. I just went back to good old bar soap instead of those mini plastic bottles of shower gel. Easy peasy.
- Toothpaste: This one I was a bit skeptical about. I discovered toothpaste tabs, these little chewable things. Weird at first, I won’t lie, but I actually quite like them now. Or sometimes I use toothpowder in a small tin.
- Deodorant: I looked for deodorant in cardboard tubes or glass jars. There are quite a few out there these days.
It took a while to use up my old stuff and find these new things, but my toiletry bag is so much lighter and, well, less plasticky now!
Next Up: Food and Drinks on the Go
Airport food and drinks are such a plastic trap, aren’t they? All those bottles of water and pre-packaged snacks.
- Water Bottle: This was a game-changer. I invested in a decent reusable water bottle. I just fill it up after I go through security. Saves money too, which is always a bonus.
- Coffee Cup: If I know I’m going to want a coffee, I try to remember my reusable coffee cup. Sometimes I forget, I’m not perfect, but I’m getting better.
- Snacks: Instead of buying crisps and sweets in plastic, I started packing my own. A few nuts in a small reusable container, or a piece of fruit. Sometimes I use beeswax wraps for a sandwich.
Sorting Out the Other Bits and Pieces
Then I looked at other things I was packing.
- Packing Cubes: My old ones were nylon, you know, plastic. I found some made from cotton or other natural fibers. Or, honestly, sometimes I just go back to carefully folding and rolling. Works just as well.
- Shopping Bags: I always, always pack a couple of foldable fabric shopping bags. You never know when you’ll need one, and it stops me from having to take a plastic one from a shop.
- Menstrual Products: For those who need them, I switched to a menstrual cup years ago, and for travel, it’s brilliant. No waste, and you don’t have to pack loads of disposable stuff.
I remember one of my first “less plastic” trips. I’d proudly packed my new shampoo bar, feeling very smug. Got to the hotel, and the shower had no shelf, just a sloping surface. My precious bar kept sliding into a puddle of water! I had to improvise by using a face flannel as a makeshift soap dish. You learn these little tricks as you go, don’t you? It’s all part of the process.
So, that’s pretty much how I managed to cut down massively on plastic when I travel. It’s not about being 100% perfect all the time, because sometimes it’s just not possible, especially in certain places. But I made a conscious effort, I changed my habits step by step, and it really does make a difference. My bag feels lighter, my conscience feels clearer, and I’m not leaving a trail of plastic bottles behind me. It just feels… better. And honestly, once you get into the swing of it, it’s not hard at all. Just takes a bit of planning upfront.
