In 2018, UK residents spent £45.4 billion on oversea visits, while oversea residents spent £22.9 billion on visits to the UK. When there is that much money being spent, it’s clear that people love to travel. But not every aspect of traveling is positive. One of the biggest problems with travel is the increased plastic waste it produces, so here are several helpful tips on how to reduce your own plastic use when on holiday.
Buy or Make a Zero-Waste Kit
When you’re traveling, you can’t always count on there being eco-friendly options everywhere you go, which is why you need to be prepared with a zero-waste kit. Think of your zero-waste kit as your lifeline; there are myriads of uses for it. Additionally, you can put in or take out different items as you see fit. One thing to keep in mind is that you will be carrying this kit with you wherever you go, so be sure to pack light.
Some items you might want to consider when making your own kit include:
- A reusable water bottle
- One or two cloth napkins
- An eco-friendly travel utensil kit
- A reusable straw
- Some eco-friendly toiletries
- A mason jar
- A reusable, cloth bag
Wear the right gear
The clothing industry isn’t exactly known for being eco-friendly; polyester, nylon and rayon are all non-biodegradable plastic-based materials that hurt the environment for years to come.
Clothing is currently being produced quickly to follow current trends, and as a result is usually poorly made.
In 2015 about 300,000 tonnesof clothing in UK was thrown away, by increasing the life of the clothes we wear, we will reduce their environmental impact.
Be accountable for the impact you’re making on the environment with your wardrobe and invest in new products that don’t leave a negative impact on the Earth. Before going on holiday is a great time to buy new sustainable clothing.
Plastic-free fitness trackers, sunglassesor even subscription boxes are all great options to get started on your new wardrobe. To many, fashion on holiday is important, and wearing eco-friendly clothing will not only help you look great, but the planet as well.
Work with plastic-free businesses
No matter where you’re off to, you should consider all of your accommodation options. Whether you want to go to a plastic-free hotelor go on a sustainable cruise, be sure to work with companies that have made commitments to reducing their plastic use.
If you book an Airbnbin the area, you can bring your own plastic-free items and put that zero-waste kit to good use. You can’t always rely on the businesses in local towns you travel to practice sustainable habits, so it’s good to come prepared. It is also good to consider plastic-free flight options if available.
It is important to remember that nobody is perfect. Sometimes being absolutely zero waste isn’t exactly an option. You might need to use some plastic here and there, and that’s okay. What is really important is the effort and strides people take to get closer to zero waste, and hopefully you learned a few steps you can personally take to start making a difference.
An Environmentalist's blog 
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