by Erica Redding
Do you aspire to plastic free travel?
Here are 6 Ways you can Nourish The Body Without Destroying The Planet
You may have heard by that it’s Plastic Free July (#PlasticFreeJuly). In the spirit of saving the beautiful world we live on from plastic abuse, we’d like to share a few things with you.
The easiest ways we can reduce the plastic we use involve making some changes in our consumer patterns. However, when traveling, planet-conscious habits can be quite difficult to implement.
We’ve put together some foodie and drinkie changes you can make on the go.
Fishing boats in a sea of plastic. Image: Fran Cresswell
Sustainable Drink Bottle
If you haven’t done this already, go out and get yourself a personal drink bottle. They come in different sizes, colors and styles making it easier to get the one that best suits your preferences.
As we know, plastic does not break down. Every drinks bottle we purchase cannot be destroyed without further polluting the atmosphere. That. Is. Terrible.
There continues to be growing concern surrounding studies performed on plastic bottled beverages. Turns out, we are consuming more than just the drink itself, and ingesting plastics could have serious health implications.
However, by refilling the sustainable bottle with clean water, you can save your health and some money.
To take it one step further, as a traveler, sometimes you’ll find yourself in a place with unfriendly bacteria filled water. This is where buying bottled water can get out of control, so consider purchasing a sustainable bottle with a filter.
S’Well Water Bottle (Best all around)
S’well SATB-17-A15 Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, Double Wall, 17 oz, Turquoise Blue
Hydroflask (Best insulated)
Grayl Filtered Water Bottles (Best filtered bottle)
GRAYL Ultralight Water Purifier [+ Filter] Bottle (Black)
Sustainable Drink Cup
In addition to water, there are lots of great beverages to try when traveling. Teas, elixirs and of course, coffee.
Since you probably don’t want your water to taste like whatever clever drink you tried last, you may want to invest in an additional sustainable drink cup.
While traveling, these can help you stay mobile. Rather than sticking around the coffee shop, you can check out all the best instagram-worthy spots in the area.
They even make them for kids, sustainable straws and all!
Sustainable Spork
Have you ever been traveling and grabbed your food to go, only to realize back at the hotel that you don’t have silverware? Enter: The Spork.
A quick and easy, multipurpose tool you can use for any meal. Sporks are a minimalist’s silverware. What’s more, some of them also come as keychains and even have bottle openers attached. Yes, please!
This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen!
CRKT Eat’N Tool Outdoor Spork Multitool Titanium Spork (Spoon Fork)
Food Containers
When you’re traveling through farmers markets, of course you’re going to want to try some of the local foods. Or maybe you want to save money by grabbing groceries to eat in.
In these cases, many food sellers will offer plastic that will only go to waste as soon as the food leaves the bag. Avoid this by purchasing a metal, cloth or other non-plastic container to bring to the store.
If you want to try this but you’re worried you won’t have space in your pack, fear not! When not in use, your food container can double as a packing cube.
Now you can snack on fruits and nuts from local markets without excess waste.
Stainless Steel 3-in-1 Bento Lunch Box Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags
Cloth Napkin
These are things people use to use more often, before the more popular (and wasteful) paper napkin was invented.
As much as progress means moving forward, sometimes learning from the past means using it. In this case, cloth napkins.
Just like your fun drink cups and water containers, cloth napkins can have your own personal style to them.
Maybe you like one that represents your hobbies, or a cute saying. Or maybe you like the classic colorful napkins.
No matter your choice, all they take is a wash and you save the trees!
Elrene Home Fabric Napkins (Set of 24), IndigoPatterned Cotton Dinner NapkinsReusable Unpaper Towels
Eat In
Buying sustainable consumer products is a great way to reduce waste, however a way you can reduce even more is by eating in.
Rather than taking away foods or drinks, chill out and eat in the restaurant to avoid packaging altogether.
This allows you to enjoy your meal and your surroundings as you immerse yourself in the places you visit.
Eating in has other perks too. Try sitting down for your mid-day caffeine fix in a digital nomad city. You’ll find yourself surrounded by entrepreneurs co-working in their natural habitat.
Proceed with caution though. Hanging out with driven people who make their own schedules can be very habit-forming!
