Hey zero waste enthusiasts! Or.. new-to-the-fold adventurists! Whether you have been living a low waste lifestyle for awhile now or not, everyone eventually arrives at the travel issue. For those who have started to find the craftiness in the zero waste lifestyle, keeping waste to a minimum while backpacking across the land feels like an exciting project! If you’re still finding your footing and are plagued with worries, it’s ok, we got you. To help you keep your waste creation to a minimum, check out our zero waste backpacker’s guide to the galaxy below.
Planning Ahead for Your Spectacular Zero-Waste Vacay
The most important thing that is sure to save you on your travels is planning ahead. First, start off by considering all of the ways your travel plans could negatively affect the planet (aka your carbon footprint). Here are some ways to keep things cute:
- Take as few flights as possible.
- Go for the trains, buses, boats, etc.
- Walk & bike as much as you can.
- Eat local.
- Choose camping, cottages, or cabins for your sleeping arrangements.
- If you need to stay in a hotel or air bnb type deal, make sure it functions on an eco-friendly-like spectrum.
Other things to consider as you plan ahead are:
- Where you can dispose of your recycling and compost.
- If there are zero waste or bulk shopping options in the vicinity.
- Where to refill your water bottle.
- If there are eco-friendly restaurants nearby.
What to Bring on Your Journey
Now that you have mapped out where you’re going, how you’re getting there, and what the surroundings provide, it’s time to think about what you need to bring along. Most of the trash that people create when traveling comes from activities related to snacking, meal time, drinking, and shopping. Zero waste aficionados will already have all of the necessary items in their inventory, but may want to get an additional set of these things specifically for travel if gallivanting is a regular occurrence. Here are the essential reusable items you’ll need:
- Reusable water bottle.
- Hot beverage cup.
- A glass jar or two for whatever you might need it for.
- Straw.
- Bamboo or some other sort of earth friendly cutlery set.
- Containers for food.
- Silicone storage bags for food.
- Cloth, mesh, or hemp shopping bags.
- Cloth napkin(s).
- Soap & shampoo bars.
- Clothing staples that don't stink up your bag.
Keep Researching to Land Among the Stars
If you're going to remain a true zero-waste backpacking rockstar, it's important that you continue to keep up with the times. Being a business that specializes in zero-wasting, we are always keeping a look out and so pleased to see the new creations that make zero-waste living easier. The key to keeping it up is not to panic. Once you pin down the lifestyle in your everyday life, venturing out and experimenting in the great unknown becomes fun! Keep an eye on our articles, and follow all of the zero waste advocates and bloggers on social media. If you do that, you will have all of the information you need to land among the zero waste stars.