Nothing can fix things like a much-needed vacation. There’s something special about indulging in a little self-care while enjoying the sun and traveling someplace new.
However, vacation spots and tourist places cannot be the same if we don’t take care of them. According to a study, tourists every year produce twice as much waste as the local residents.
We are already on the march of destroying our planet through climate change, resource pollution, and increased carbon footprint. Moreover, if this continues, another Baia Mare Cyanide spill or Camp Lejeune Water Contamination won’t be far away. These disasters, especially the Camp Lejeune case where toxicized water was consumed by residents for years inviting deadly diseases, change us and the planet drastically.
Thankfully, measures like the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination lawsuit cure the damage to an extent but can’t replace it as things were. Also, isn’t prevention better than cure?
A zero-waste vacation or a trip where one doesn’t produce any trash that can’t be composted or recycled at home is a great step towards sustainable living. At first, this may seem like an impossible goal for your average traveler, but there are plenty of easy changes you can make to help you get closer to zero waste living without having to sacrifice much at all.
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Use a Reusable Water Bottle
The majority of plastic water bottles are not recycled, which means that they’re usually just thrown away. This is terrible for the environment, so make sure you bring a reusable water bottle with you on your trip. The best part? It’ll keep you from buying plastic bottles in the first place!
If you’re like me, then this is probably one of the most exciting parts about going on vacation: trying new foods and drinks! But be careful when ordering beverages at restaurants—many places will offer free refills for those who buy their own plastic-bottled water. If possible, bring your own reusable container to fill up at home instead (and avoid paying for these single-use plastics).
If there’s ever an emergency situation where clean drinking water isn’t available, fill up your reusable container with tap water in order to drink as much as possible throughout the day (for example, if there’s no electricity due to flooding). In this case, it’s okay because all sources should be safe enough—just make sure there aren’t any signs posted saying otherwise! You should also make sure no chemicals were added, such as chlorine or fluoride, before collecting rainwater either; again check out any warnings beforehand just in case something has happened recently which could affect safety levels–this would especially apply after natural disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes.
Skip the Plastic Straws
Plastic straws are a huge problem, and the best way to avoid them is to simply not use them. If you need to have a straw for your drink, consider bringing your own reusable metal one instead. It’s easy enough to find large quantities of these on Amazon in different shapes, sizes, and colors, so you can keep one in your bag all the time.
If this isn’t an option for you, then do your best to ask politely if there’s any way you could get your drink without straws—a lot of restaurants will be happy to oblige! Additionally, many cities across the country have banned plastic straws outright, so if you are visiting one of those places, then don’t worry about bringing anything at all!
If we all work together, we can make a difference by decreasing our reliance on single-use plastic and help save our oceans from becoming filled with trash forevermore.
Eat at Restaurants That Offer Compostable Takeout Containers
It’s true that you can’t go wrong when it comes to eating out during your zero waste vacation. However, there are ways to make your experience even better by doing some research beforehand. If you’re staying in a hotel or Airbnb that includes breakfast, look into the recycling or composting options they have for your leftovers. If not, search Google for “compostable takeout containers” and see what pops up nearby. You may be surprised at how many restaurants offer these types of containers!
If a restaurant does offer compostable takeout containers but doesn’t display them prominently, it’s worth asking if they do (and if not, why). That way, they know what type of customer feedback would help them improve their services in the future—and maybe there will be less waste overall because other customers will follow suit!
Take a Tote Bag With You
A tote bag is a large bag with handles that are placed on the side for easy transportability. It is often made of sustainable or eco-friendly material and can be used to carry your stuff and dispose of the stuff after use in a dustbin.
Wherever you go – shopping, at the beach, at the mall, or even at the zoo, it is advised to carry a reusable tote bag with you.
For those seeking a blend of fashion and practicality while prioritizing eco-friendliness at the beach, opting for a tote bag such as the chic beach bags offered by Sunday Supply is an excellent choice.
Refuse the Plastic Bags!
We all know that plastic bags are bad for the environment, but it can be harder to remember that when you’re on vacation. When you’re out and about in a new place, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of exploring and forget about how many single-use plastic bags you’ve accumulated.
To help you avoid this headache, here are some tips for refusing those pesky single-use plastic bags:
- Bring reusable bags with you! Usually, grocery stores will have bins where customers can recycle their own reusable bags. If there isn’t a bin available, put your reusable bag in with the rest of your groceries or ask a store employee if they’ll let it go through their compactor (that’s what happens to those paper grocery bags).
- Refuse any free plastic bags offered by the store employees at check-out time – this is especially important if they offer them as part of an incentive program like “Buy ten items, get one free.” Those little rewards add up quickly! You’ll save money on gas since you won’t be driving back home with extra stuff just because they gave it away; plus, imagine how much better off Mother Earth would be if everyone thought like this!
Bring Reusable Utensils and Napkins When Eating on the Go
When you’re eating on the go, it’s easy to forget that there’s no need for single-use plastic when you can just bring your own.
Use a reusable bag for your food. It may seem like this would be more of a hassle than using disposable bags, but it really isn’t—you’ll be able to fit so much more in one big bag than multiple smaller ones! Plus, reusable bags are easier to carry around without breaking or tearing (which is especially helpful if you’re biking). And if they do get damaged somehow? Then it’s not as big of a deal since all you have to do is wash them rather than buy new ones every time they get dirty or break (which happens pretty often with standard plastic bags).
Use reusable water bottles instead of bottled water when at restaurants or events where there isn’t access to tap water (such as theme parks). You’ll save money by only buying what you need instead of paying high prices per bottle; plus, having an empty bottle on hand will help prevent hunger pangs between meals since most places don’t provide free refills anymore due to environmental concerns.
This also goes double if they happen to offer filtered cups instead, which cost even more money per ounce consumed, thanks mostly due to their bulky nature requiring more space/space management skills.
You Don’t Have to Ruin Your Summer Vacation by Going Zero Waste!
Zero waste travel is a great way to practice sustainable development in your daily routine and help the environment. By making small changes, you can reduce your waste and do your part for the planet.
Here’s how you can reduce your carbon footprint this summer vacation:
- Plan ahead: If you know where you’re going and when, consider booking accommodations with recycling or composting options. Many hotels have started offering eco-friendly amenities such as reusable towels, refillable bottles by the pool, organic cotton sheets, and more.
- Avoid single-use plastics: Carry around a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water at every destination (reusable coffee mugs are also great). If there’s an option to buy locally grown produce instead of imported food items—do it. This will also help support local businesses while reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with transporting goods across long distances.
In Conclusion
The most important thing to keep in mind while you’re on vacation is that there are ways to stay zero waste without having it ruin your fun. Vacations are supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable, so don’t feel like you have to make sacrifices. But at the same time, make sure you stay conscious of these little things so we all can stay a little while longer on our home planet.
