How to reduce plastic waste while traveling (11 Ways)

Eco-friendly habits don’t just save the planet; they save your budget.

Discovering how to reduce plastic waste while traveling can actually cut your daily expenses by 15% through simple, reusable swaps.

Here are some ways…

• Use a Steripen
• Bring a collapsible Mug
• solid bars
• Decline Hotels tiny plastic bottles
• Consider a water bladder
• Toothpaste Tablets
• Beeswax Wraps
• Reusable Laundry Bag
• Carry a “Zero-Waste” Cutlery Kit
• Power bank and Universial adapter avoid plastic waste
• Quick-Dry Merino Wool Layers

Keep reading, and I’ll go over every way in more detail and easy ways to save money when traveling.

How to Use a Steripen for Safe, Plastic-Free Water Anywhere

I found out about a Steripen hiking the Pacific Coast Trail.

I was using a water filter where I had to squeeze hard, and it just sucked. Then I ran into a couple that used this tiny UV light with NO effort, and I was in love.

I’ve been using a Steripen ever since!

A UV Steripen kills 99.99% of viruses and bacteria.

What is so great about it is that it’s very lightweight, very easy to use, and only takes 90 seconds to filter water anywhere.

If you use it a few times, it more than pays for itself. Plus, drinking from plastic water bottles can be unhealthy with BPH and other issues.

Plus, it prevents plastic waste; sadly, only 10% of plastic waste even gets recycled.

With the Steripen, you push a button, twirl it around some water, and in 90 seconds, you have clean water anywhere.

Plus, they are very inexpensive, and you can see if Amazon has any deals.

I even wrote a post on 12 MORE benefits of a Steripen for solo travelers, and some are surprising

Best Collapsible Travel Mugs for Sustainable Coffee on the Go

It’s not a bad idea to bring a collapsible mug for coffee or tea.

What is so nice is that they fold up when not in use and save space.

Another cool benefit is that I made a post that lists ways to get free water when traveling, and I also list places that will give you a discount on coffee and tea if you use your own cup.

It may sound trivial, but believe it or not, many “paper” coffee cups are lined with plastic to make them waterproof.

These cups are impossible to recycle, and by using a reusable mug, you prevent hundreds of cups from ending up in landfills.

These plastic insides break down and can enter water and oceans.

More bad news is that if a coffee cup goes into a recycling bin, it can contaminate the entire batch (like clean cardboard), causing the whole thing to go to the landfill.

Purchasing a collapsible mug is a great way to help the environment, and there is a wide variety on Amazon.

Switching to Solid Shampoo and Soap Bars to Save Suitcase Space

Instead of small plastic bottles for soap or shampoo, solid bars are another idea.

One great benefit of a solid bar of shampoo is they will not leak.

You might be wondering how this is good for the environment?

Shampoos are 70-90% water. When you buy a liquid product, you’re paying for the carbon emissions to ship the item.

Bars are WAY more concentrated; it’s less of a carbon footprint of transportation. Of course, most plastic bottles have a high plastic-to-product ratio and are rarely recycled.

A bar of shampoo has zero-waste packaging. A bar of soap or shampoo also has more plant-based ingredients that are better for the oceans and runoff.

Why You Should Decline Hotel Toiletries to Reduce Travel Plastic

This is a hard one for me.

If something is free, I sort of want to take advantage of it. So tempting, right?

It’s best to pass on it for the reasons I mentioned above.

Hydration Bladder vs. Water Bottle: The Best Choice for Hiking

It’s not a bad idea to consider a water bladder.

You can fill it up once, and it will last you all day. You don’t have to worry about trying to find water when you’re traveling.

It’s also nice on buses.

Most people buy expensive water bottles because they run out while they are in a touristy area, or what I call “tourist traps.”

The locals know you have money, you’re thirsty, and thus sell you water at a premium.

Another benefit is that some modern cities and airports have hydration stations where you can fill a 3 L bladder in a second, whereas individual bottles can be a hassle (especially if there is a line).

With a bladder, I own this 3 L bladder, which is very inexpensive, and it’s hands-free. I don’t have to stop, take my backpack off, and fumble for water and unscrew it.

I wrote a post on 5 ways to save money on water that includes more benefits of this bladder.

Eco-Friendly Toothpaste Tablets: The Ultimate TSA-Friendly Alternative

This is something I just heard about and have never done.

Most toothpaste tubes are nearly impossible to recycle. Toothpaste tablets come in containers that have zero waste.

They are solid and don’t count towards your liquid limit at airports.

Plus, there is no risk of it exploding in your backpack. Also, they don’t have preservatives. The negative is that they are more expensive than regular toothpaste.

Oh, and you still have to brush with the tablets; the brushing part is important!

Using Beeswax Wraps for Zero-Waste Travel Snacks and Picnics

This is another interesting idea, and I don’t do this.

Instead of plastic bags, you can use washable beeswax wraps to keep food fresh during long trips.

What I do is use plastic, but I reuse it, and that is another option. Not as cool as beeswax!

The Best Reusable Laundry Bags for Organized, Eco-Conscious Travel

This may seem like a small thing, but thin plastic bags tucked into hotel closets are part of a large problem.

• They are designed for single use.
• Can’t recycle.
• Break down into microplastics much faster.
• Not the best for hygiene.

A wonderful idea is to use packing cubes, which also help organize a backpack or suitcase.

If you want something that fits a backpack a little better, dry sacks could be better and are waterproof.

I used them for the Pacific Coast Trail, and it worked.

Lastly, these mesh bags can help organize your clothes; they breathe and can be used for laundry. In Europe, I used plastic shopping bags, which also work.

The mesh bags are nice because you can see what is inside for organization.

Portable Zero-Waste Cutlery Kits: Never Use Plastic Utensils Again

Utensils can come in handy.

You know, like a fork, knife, spoon, straw, and chopsticks. It’s also better than single-use plastic utensils that could be offered at food stalls and airports.

Plus, they can come in handy if you need 1 and maybe nothing is around.

Around Europe to save money, sometimes I would go to a grocery store and pick up food and eat at a park or hostel.

Also, you know they have been cleaned, so that is peace of mind.

Lastly, some places charge a small fee for disposable items, so having your own gear means you never have to pay for one if needed.

If you want to save more money, then airfare might be the most expensive part of traveling.

Everywhere you look, prices are different.

What is crazy is that airlines and booking sites change prices based on your search history.

What if there were a way to save hundreds of dollars on a flight? Someone created a guide that shares insider secrets on booking them.

This can help you get the cheapest flights available every time.

Even if you save just a tiny amount of money on flights, it all adds up and is worth it.

How a Universal Adapter and Power Bank Reduce E-Waste and Plastic

This may seem strange, but both can help.

A single universal adapter replaces the need for four or five different adapters. This means less plastic in manufacturing and less plastic packaging.

Also, fewer trips to a store to get one.

A power bank or solar bank can help keep devices charged without having to buy batteries.

They also could be better for your device’s battery than unregulated public ports, which helps the plastic and metal assembly line.

Plus, they are both really good to have.

Just recently, I traveled to a small town, and my phone died while I was taking photos. I own a power bank and a solar bank and forgot to bring both of them.

Solar banks are good for hiking, and power banks can be better if you’re exploring towns and can refill them at your hostel.

Merino Wool vs. Synthetics: Reducing Microplastics in Your Laundry

These are great for fighting odors naturally.

This means you don’t have to wash them as much (which is great for traveling).

A polyester shirt is an immortal plastic that can sit in a landfill for 200 years.

100% Merino wool is a natural fiber that brings nutrients back into the soil. It’s also 0 plastic, unlike a polyester shirt that sheds microplastics.

Closing: How to reduce plastic waste while traveling

I hope this post was helpful.

You might be wondering how to afford travel.

What helps me is affiliate marketing. I recommend it because you can do it anywhere, anytime around your schedule, in nearly any niche (like traveling), and it can be a ton of fun.

Oh, and you can earn some extra cash.

I made some easy free cheat sheets on the system I use that I’m giving away.

Affiliate marketing can take time, and if you want something quicker, there are TONS of work-from-home jobs. Also, nice, and I wrote a post on 10 steps to finding the right work-from-home job for you.