Zero-waste is a philosophy aimed at combating the impact of humans on the planet. The main approaches are reducing waste while maximizing on recycling. It has become one of the main lifestyles in the 21st century. Traveling with no waste is mainly about effort rather than perfection. Every time we travel, except when we use a bike or go on foot, we generate a carbon footprint. Is it realistic therefore to achieve zero-waste travel? There are plenty of ways of reducing the human impact on the earth while enjoying our trips.
Planning for the trip with zero-waste in mind
When you visit destinations that have a commitment to reducing waste, makes you as a traveler follow suit. Various countries have imposed a ban on plastic bags. The same approach should be used to booking accommodation. Catering for oneself is an ideal option. This means that you shop and cook your own food doing away with taking away wastes. The choice you make for an airline can also have an influence on your zero-waste ambition. Although airline waste is an issue, many of the airlines have put in measures to reduce carbon footprints. Several have made a commitment to for example do away with single-use plastic materials on flights by next year.
Booking
When you are ready to make your flight booking, resist the thought of taking an upgrade to business. It usually results in a bigger carbon footprint. Airlines now have offset programs which are reputable. There are still other programs that might be better. These allow you to select from a range of projects for climate protection based on your next flights’ carbon footprint among others. When seeking to book a tour, look for companies with a commitment to reducing their impact. For example, there are travel companies that offer drinking water for travelers to fill their own bottles.
Packing
Every travel should have a zero-waste kit. Also, keep your carry on for easy accessibility. Your kit should contain substitutes for straws, plastic bags, coffee cups, and bottles. You can also carry a recyclable spork instead of plastic cutlery. A handkerchief can also come in handy in wrapping food remains. Carrying own eye masks, blankets and headphones for flights is also a good way of reducing flight wastes.
Don’t forget to do an assessment of your other gear. Most of the essentials you carry might be having zero-waste alternatives. For example, instead of head torches, you can carry a rechargeable model. This eliminates the need to carry batteries. Beauty brands also have plastic-free options which come in reusable containers. Alternatively, you can make your own assembly of toiletries. For instance, you can make wet wipes by dipping handkerchiefs in water.