Plastic-Free Travel
Covid 19 has brought havoc to the world’s economy and disrupted the way of life we have always known. However it certainly has a significant positive impact on the environment. It has also made us realize how the world could be if we did not have all these pollutants constantly being shoved into the environment. Now that the world is slowly but surely getting back towards normality, it probably a good time to re-think of how we want to continue our journey. Like David Attenborough said in his recent documentary “A Life On Our Planet”, either we can continue our irresponsible behavior towards the destruction of our beautiful habitat or change our attitude for better and build a cleaner and safer world for ourselves and our coming generations.
Why is plastic – free important
As the borders are starting to open up and vaccination means that more people are able to travel again. It’s time to ponder upon one of the biggest nemesis “Plastic” particularly the single use plastic. Even though there is still plenty of room for improvement, the Western world and the advanced nations have taken a lot of steps to reduce the use of plastic, many nations are still lacking the awareness and resources to deal with it.
Steps we can take to be more eco-conscious traveler
The question is what can we do as an eco-conscious traveler in the post-Covid world to reduce our impact. Here are few things that can significantly help reduce the plastic that goes into our landfills, rivers and oceans.
1. Metallic water bottle
It is a must-have for any traveler. It might be worth just that little bit of hassle to find a place where you can get your bottle refilled. While many countries might have refill station, local restaurants and cafes might also be able to refill your bottle. You can save some bucks while saving the planet, one bottle at a time.
2. Metallic spork and straw
A metallic spork always comes handy when you are out and about, especially if you are in places like SE Asia and want to try the street-food. Single use plastic cutlery is very common over there. Having your own bamboo chop sticks there would be quite good too if you like to use them. Although most places offer chopsticks made of bamboo, they always come in plastic packaging and we all know where that would end up.
Plastic straws litter the shorelines around the world but hey are such an easy fix. A metallic straw won’t take much space and wont weigh much either but you will end up saving a lot of straws from getting into the landfills or water.
3. Bamboo toothbrush
Tooth brushes are another common items seen on the beaches. We tend to change our tooth brushes every three months, once retired, there is no place for those old tooth brushes. Simply switching to bamboo toothbrushes can make such a huge difference.
4. Reusable canvas bag
Canvas bags are a lot more visible now a days since the birth of plastic bags and while many super markets and places have shifted towards more sturdy plastic bags, the problem has not quite been close to being solved. Just have few canvas bags for your shopping trips that can last you a long time without clogging the lungs and intestines of mother nature. They also look cute and stylish.
5. Shampoo and bath bars
Our super markets and shops are full of traditional shampoos and shower gels or hand washes or all kinds. These single use bottles have no place to go once they are empty. Instead, why not switch to good old soaps. Now you can find a huge variety of sold shampoo bars as well that are just as good, not only for your hair but also for the environment. If you head to places like Lush, you won’t even need packaging.
6. Handkerchief instead of tissues
Handkerchiefs might have gone out of fashion but it does not mean that they have lost their functionality. Replace them with the normal tissues. You will save the trees that would be cut down to make these tissues and also avoid the plastic packaging that will add to the heaps of rubbish already lying around. You can find fantastic designs and materials online or simply make your own using your old clothes.
7. Containers
A few metallic containers are always great to have with you. They come handy quite often, whether you are getting a takeaway or just want some space for snacks.
While being 100% plastic free may not always be possible but if we consciously. Try our best to reduce our adverse impact on our environment, we can certainly make a huge difference. It is a responsibility we definitely should not take lightly because our future. As a species depends on it. Them with the normal tissues. You will save the trees that would be cut down to make these tissues. And also avoid the plastic packaging that will add to the heaps of rubbish already lying around. You can find fantastic designs and materials online or simply make your own using your old clothes.