You know, I used to be one of those people who’d go on vacation and just, well, not really think about the mountain of plastic water bottles I was getting through, or all those takeaway containers. It just seemed like part of the travel experience, right? Then, a while back, it really hit me how much waste I was actually generating. It wasn’t a good feeling, and I figured there had to be a better way to explore without leaving such a messy trail behind.
So, before my last big trip, I decided to properly give this ‘low-waste’ travel thing a real shot. I’m not gonna lie, it felt a bit like, “Ugh, another thing to worry about,” but I was determined to try. It’s all about taking those first steps, I guess.
Getting My Gear Sorted
The first thing I tackled was my packing. My old routine was just grabbing whatever seemed useful. This time, I was more thoughtful. I sat down and really thought about what I’d actually need to reduce waste on the go.
- My trusty reusable water bottle: This was a non-negotiable. Honestly, this alone makes such a huge difference. I just kept filling it up at the hotel, or at water fountains if I found them.
- A travel coffee cup: I’m a demon for coffee, especially when I’m exploring a new city. Having my own cup meant I could skip all those disposable ones.
- A couple of cloth shopping bags: These fold up super small and came in handy for everything from groceries to little souvenirs. No more flimsy plastic bags!
- A set of lightweight reusable cutlery: I got a little bamboo set. Seemed a bit extra at first, but it was brilliant for street food or when I bought a salad from a local shop.
- Solid toiletries: This was a game changer! I switched to a shampoo bar, a conditioner bar, and a solid soap. No more tiny plastic hotel bottles, and they last ages. Plus, no worries about liquids spilling in my bag.
Out and About, Trying to Be Good
Once I was actually on the trip, it was about putting those plans into action. It wasn’t always easy, but I tried my best.
When it came to getting around, I walked a ton. It’s the best way to see a place anyway, right? For longer distances, I opted for public transport over taxis where I could. Every little bit helps, I figured.
Food was a big one. I made a real effort to eat at local restaurants rather than grabbing fast food in heaps of packaging. When I did get something to go, like from a bakery, I’d try and use my own cloth bag or just take it without one if it was small. Saying “no straw, please” became automatic. It’s a small thing, but it all adds up.
At markets, which I absolutely love exploring, having my cloth bags was fantastic. I could buy fresh fruit and snacks without any plastic. It just felt… better.
Souvenirs were tricky. I used to buy so much random stuff. This time, I really focused on experiences rather than just accumulating things. If I did buy something, I tried to find things that were locally made, useful, or something I knew I’d treasure, not just another piece of plastic destined for the bin.
Was It All Smooth Sailing?
Honestly? No, not always. There were definitely times I forgot my reusable cup, or the only option for a quick drink was a plastic bottle. Sometimes language barriers made it tricky to explain I didn’t want a bag or a straw. You can’t be perfect, and I learned not to beat myself up about it. It’s about progress, not perfection.
But you know what? It was surprising how many opportunities there were to make a better choice, once I started looking for them. And it didn’t make my vacation any less enjoyable. In fact, it kind of added an interesting, mindful layer to it. I felt more connected to the places I was visiting, more aware.
The Takeaway (The Good Kind!)
When I got home, I noticed my bin wasn’t overflowing with vacation trash like it usually was. That felt pretty good, a small win. It showed me that these little changes really do make a difference.
For me, it’s not about achieving some impossible ‘zero-waste’ status, especially when you’re out of your usual routine and environment. It’s more about being ‘low-waste’ – just making a conscious effort to reduce, to reuse, and to choose more thoughtfully. And honestly, it’s not as hard as it sounds once you get into the swing of it. I’m already thinking about how I can do even better on my next adventure.
