Building a Zero-Waste Travel Kit: Our Guide for Long-Haul Trips

Summary: Zero-waste is a lifestyle choice that can apply to nearly everything, including travel. But zero-waste travel requires intentionality. It requires making certain choices, choices that do not necessarily mean deprivation.

Encouraging a zero-waste lifestyle is one of our stated goals here at EcoFam. But the zero-waste principle can be difficult to stick with when you're traveling. The longer your travels, the harder it is. But zero-waste travel is possible.

Embarking on a journey expected to last 7 days or longer can feel like a battle against convenience-driven waste. Everything from bottled water to snacks and those tiny shampoo bottles in the hotel room can turn any vacation into a landfill bonanza. So what can you do?

Zero-waste travel is not about deprivation. It is about being intentional with everything you pack in your suitcase. We recommend that eco-conscious travelers build themselves a zero-waste travel kit that can be used indefinitely. A good kit helps reduce a traveler's carbon footprint and, as a bonus, can make a suitcase lighter.

1. Give Liquids a Second Thought

A good place to start building your kit is with the 3-1-1 rule for liquids. This rule is designed to reduce the number of plastic bottles required for normal hygiene. Considering the sheer volume of plastic that ends up in landfills around the world, any plastic you can reduce from your own waste stream makes a difference.

The 3-1-1 rule is actually a TSA rule for carrying liquids on a plane in one's carry-on bags. Here is how it applies in terms of each of the digits:

• 3 – Each container of liquid and hold no more than 3.4 ounces.

• 1 – All liquid containers must fit into a single one-quart plastic bag.

• 1 – Only one plastic bag is allowed per passenger.

Employing the 3-1-1 rule suggests doing two things:

• Buying Reusable Bottles – Off-the-shelf bottles of shampoo, conditioner, etc. are much larger than 3.4 ounces. Adhering to the rule means investing in smaller, reusable bottles. Problem solved.

• Go Dry – The other suggestion is to go dry as much as possible. In other words, some of your liquids have dry alternatives that are easier to travel with while still being just as effective.

EcoFam offers two dry alternatives: toothpaste and mouthwash tablets. You can carry an entire month's supply of both in considerably less space than two 3.4-ounce bottles would take up. Best of all, there are no bottles to throw away while you are on vacation.

In terms of shampoo, body wash, and conditioner, you can switch to dry bar alternatives. A high-quality shampoo bar will last far longer than just a week. So you can use it for your trip, store it away, and then pull it out when you travel again.

2. Your Travel Tools Matter

Limiting liquids is the foundation of building a zero-waste travel kit. But it will not be enough. You also need to rethink your tools. They need to be both durable and eco-friendly. Let us talk about two in particular:

The Toothbrush

Plastic toothbrushes are so common that we don't even think about them. You can virtually guarantee that your plastic toothbrush does not become part of the ocean debris problem by simply not taking it on vacation. Instead, invest in a compostable toothbrush.

EcoFam compostable toothbrushes feature handles made with a cornstarch product. The handles are completely biodegradable. So even if you end up throwing it in the trash before you get on the plane to come home, you can rest easily in the knowledge that it will quickly decompose in the landfill.

Travel Bags

If you are going to use toothpaste and mouthwash tablets, you will need something to carry them in. Don't automatically reach for the plastic zip-lock bag. Instead, invest in reusable silicone bags. Silicone stash bags are ideal for medicines, snacks, and more.

Unlike single-use plastic bags, silicone bags can be washed and reused endlessly. So even if you have a bag that gets dirty while on vacation, pop it in the hotel room sink and wash it out. Hang it up and it will be dry by morning.

3. When You Are Out and About

So far, we have focused mainly on the bathroom and toiletries. But we can take the concept of building a zero-waste travel kit even further to include an eco-friendly mindset while you are out and about at your vacation destination.

Staying hydrated is key to having an enjoyable trip. Unfortunately, drinking as much water as experts recommend translates into a lot of plastic bottles. You don't have to go down that route. Rather than buying 5-8 bottles of water every day, carry a refillable travel cup with you. Refill at water fountains, restaurants – anywhere you find a tap.

We also recommend:

• Eco-Friendly Cutlery – You're likely to see a lot of plastic cutlery on vacation. For those meals you will not be eating at a traditional, sit-down restaurant, carry your own eco-friendly cutlery set. Cutlery made from bamboo is reusable and can be easily washed in the hotel sink.

• Cloth Napkins – You can also reduce your dependence on paper napkins by carrying a couple of cloth napkins in your suitcase. Throw a napkin in your bag before you head out for the day. You can use it all day and then wash it in the sink before bed.

Have you noticed the intentional nature of these tips? Remember that zero-waste travel is about intention rather than deprivation. You don't have to deprive yourself of those things that would make for an enjoyable trip. Just be intentional about making sure you are using zero-waste products whenever possible.

4. Manage Waste More Effectively

The zero-waste lifestyle is somewhat of a misnomer in the sense that it is impossible to completely eliminate all waste. Really, what we are talking about is learning to manage waste more effectively. By reducing it at every opportunity, we are contributing to sustainability by eliminating a portion of the waste stream and reducing our dependence on natural resources.

Zero-waste is a foundational EcoFam principle. If it is something you believe in, you can use our products to build your own zero-waste travel kit.

FAQs

Are toothpaste tablets just as effective?

There is no need to worry that toothpaste tablets don't work as well as toothpaste. They are every bit as effective and considerably more sustainable.

Can I still throw a compostable toothbrush in the trash?

You might find yourself traveling to places where you cannot find compost bins. That's okay because compostable toothbrushes still break down in landfills. Composting is better, but landfilling a compostable toothbrush isn't destructive.

How can I keep bar soap from going soft?

When traveling, bar soap and shampoo can get soft and mushy. The solution is to let bars air-dry before packing them. Using a mesh or sisal bag can help as well.

Do dry kits make getting through airport security harder?

While it is always possible that things like toothpaste and mouthwash tablets will raise TSA concerns, most people have no problem with dry kits.

Is zero-waste travel more expensive?

Initially, you might spend a bit more to build a zero-waste travel kit. But you should save money in the long run by not paying for plastic and low-concentrate liquids.