So, I started thinking about all the stuff I used and threw away when traveling. Honestly, it began to feel a bit much. Every trip meant more tiny plastic bottles, disposable cups, plastic cutlery… it just piled up. Felt wasteful, you know?
Getting Started with Reusables
I decided I had to actually do something about it, not just think. First, I looked around my kitchen. What did I already have? Found a pretty sturdy water bottle I wasn’t using much. That was step one. Easy.
Then I thought about coffee. I drink a lot of coffee, especially when I’m out and about. Those paper cups add up fast. I went online and looked for a travel mug. Found one that wasn’t too big, had a good seal – learned that lesson the hard way later, but we’ll get to that. Ordered it.
Toiletries were next. Those tiny hotel bottles are the worst offenders, I figured. I already had some small silicone travel bottles from ages ago. Dug them out, gave them a good wash, and started filling them up with my own shampoo, conditioner, and soap before my next trip. Took maybe ten minutes.
Putting It Into Practice (The Messy Part)
First trip with my new setup was… interesting. The water bottle was great, no issues there. Filled it up after security at the airport. Saved buying expensive airport water right away.
The coffee mug? Okay, story time. Got my morning coffee, put the lid on, tossed it (gently!) into my bag’s side pocket. Big mistake. The lid wasn’t quite as spill-proof as advertised, or maybe I just didn’t screw it on tight enough in my morning haze. Ended up with a lovely coffee-scented backpack lining. Lesson learned: Always double-check the lid and keep the mug upright!
The toiletries worked perfectly though. No leaks from the silicone bottles, and it felt good using my usual stuff instead of whatever the hotel provided.
Refining the Kit
After a few trips, I got the hang of it. I ditched that first leaky coffee mug and invested in a better one. Totally worth it.
I also added a few more things over time:
- A foldable shopping bag: This thing is tiny, fits in my pocket, but it’s super handy for unexpected purchases or carrying snacks. Beats taking plastic bags any day.
- A set of lightweight cutlery: Usually bamboo or a metal spork. Comes in a little pouch. Perfect for picnics, takeaway food, or just avoiding flimsy plastic forks. I just wash it in the hotel sink.
- A solid soap bar and shampoo bar: Took a while to get used to these, but now I prefer them. No bottles needed, no liquid limits at the airport. I got little metal tins to keep them in.
Where I’m At Now
So now, packing involves grabbing my little kit of reusables. It’s just routine. My water bottle, coffee cup (the good one!), cutlery set, the foldable bag, and my soap/shampoo bars in their tins. The filled-up toiletry bottles are only for things I don’t have in bar form.
Honestly, it wasn’t some massive change. Just small steps, finding stuff that worked for me. It feels better knowing I’m cutting down on single-use junk, even just a little bit. Plus, using my own familiar things is actually nicer sometimes. And yeah, saving a few bucks on water bottles and coffee discounts here and there doesn’t hurt either.
