It is clear that travelling isn't the most environmentally-friendly activity on the planet, and it is disheartening to admit. So, having a zero waste packing list when you travel should be an important part to minimising your environmental footprint whilst overseas, and a first step in becoming a more responsible traveller. Hopefully, with this guide you will be able to prioritise zero waste travel products on your packing list. However, no one is perfect. By choosing to substitute just one product for a zero waste one means you will be making a difference.
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Solid Shampoo, Conditioner Deodorant and Soap Bars
Solid toiletries are one of the key ways to reducing your waste while travelling. As an added bonus, they also create less mess, take up less space, and are carry-on friendly. We suggest opting to buy solid over liquid whenever you can. Lush is one of the best retailers selling solid toiletries.
OUR SUGGESTION:
LUSH COSMETICS stock a huge range of solid toiletries from shampoo, conditioner and soaps! Plus they smell divine!
Reef Safe and Plastic-Free Sunscreen
If you are heading to a tropical location, and plan on diving into the water, then make sure you think about what products you will be using on your skin. Sunscreen is such an important product to use no matter where you are travelling to, but when visiting the ocean, it is important to think about the damage sunscreen could be doing to the animals and marine environment. Sunscreens containing the chemicals oxybenzone and oxtinoxate cause coral bleaching. Fortunately, there are many natural reef-safe sunscreens that are not only good for the ocean but for your health as well.
OUR SUGGESTION:
Australian brand DIRTY HIPPIE COSMETICS stock plastic -free and reef safe coconut sunscreen
Face Cleanser Pads
A face cleanser pad can replace multiple travel products. For us, it replaces wet wipes, cleansing lotion and a flannel. The cleansing pads are reusable, and can be used over and over again. Just add water, and the fibres remove the dirt, sweat, sunscreen and makeup from your face without needing to use any other product.
OUR SUGGESTION:
ECOBEAUTY MAKEUP REMOVER PADS - FIND OUT PRICES HEREImage
Bamboo Toothbrush
If everyone in Australia switched to a bamboo toothbrush, we would eliminate 100,000,000 plastic toothbrushes going to landfill - that take up 500 years to degrade. One small change can be so powerful. Of course, if you are already using a plastic toothbrush don't throw it away until you have got as much use out of it, and even then, reuse and repurpose it as a cleaning and scrubbing brush. Only then would we recommend you buying a bamboo toothbrush. Bamboo toothbrushes are usually 100% biodegradable, and have been sustainably sourced.
OUR SUGGESTION:
KOOLER THINGS BIODEGRADABLE BAMBOO TOOTHBRUSHES - FIND OUT PRICES HERE
Toothpaste Tablets
Toothpaste is one of the hardest items to substitute to zero waste. However, toothpaste tablets come in eco-friendly packaging and one tablet can be used for one brush.
OUR SUGGESTION:
T SERIES CHEWABLE SOLID TOOTHPASTE - FIND OUT PRICES HERE
Reusable Shaver
To save on numerous disposable shavers and razer heads going into landfill, try substituting for a reusable shaver instead. These shavers can be reused over again. You can also pack the plastic-free razor blade refills if you need to refill on the go. There is no need in buying the cheap disposable razors to take travelling that will end up in the bin anyway.
OUR SUGGESTION:
ASPIRE TO INSPIRE DOUBLE EDGE SAFTEY RAZOR - FIND OUT PRICES HERE
Menstrual Cups
For females backpacking SE Asia, switching to menstrual cups is a zero waste alternative to disposable sanitary items, as they are reusable. You might think it is hard to have a zero waste period while travelling, but menstrual cups are more convenient to travel with than continually buying sanitary tampons and pads in underdeveloped countries, as they can be extremely difficult to find.
Bringing a reusable water bottle was a game changer for us. We were surprised to see how many accommodation places and restaurants supplied filtered water dispenses, even in Southeast Asia! Everywhere we went we carried our bottles. As we drink up to 6L a day between us, taking a reusable water bottle for 8 months of travel saved us having to buy 100s to 1000s of plastic bottles. Saving money and the environment! We both carry 750-900mL bottles, which are insulated to keep our water cool. In addition, we would also love to invest in a filtered water bottle or filtered straw so we can fill our bottles with any water that might be undrinkable and make it drinkable.
OUR SUGGESTION:
MIRA STAINLESS STEEL WATER BOTTLE - FIND OUT PRICES HERE
Reusable Strawand Cutlery Sets
We have a small pouch with a handful of metal reusable straws and reusable cutlery. We pack this in our day packs to use while at cafes and restaurants. We love to buy juices, smoothies or takeaways now and then, and when ordering we ask for no plastic straws or cutlery, and instead use our own. The straws can easily be cleaned with the cleaner and water afterwards to be used again. Saving us ever needing to put it in the bin.
BETTERJONNY CUTLERY AND STRAW SET - FIND OUT PRICES HERE
Reusable Shopping Bagor Tote Bag
Along with our straws, we also take a reusable shopping bag with us in our day packs. There have been many times we have shopped for food or supplies and been offered a plastic bag to carry them home in. We always say no, and instead use our reusable shopping bag.
A laundry bag is an essential travel itemto separate clean clothes from dirty ones. Throughout SE Asia, it was cheaper to take our clothes to a laundry where they would wash, dry and fold our clothes for us, meaning we hardly ever had to do it ourselves. Although, they always neatly and tightly packed our clothes in a plastic bag before we collected them. Eventually we began asking for our clothes to be put back in our original laundry bag, instead of in the plastic bags.
Plastic ziplock bags are an essential travel item to help store liquids and prevent mess. However, ziplock bags are not often durable and typically thrown out after a trip. Opting to use an alternative reusable leakproof bag is the next best thing. As they are longer lasting, more likely to be reused over and over again, or repurposed for another alternative. We keep any liquids inside these bags to prevent mess in our luggage.
REUSABLE SILICON ZIPLOCK BAGS - FIND OUT PRICES HERE
ZERO WASTE TRAVEL TIPS
Whilst choosing to pack plastic-free is one of the best ways to be zero-waste while travelling, there are still other actions you can take whilst you are overseas. Just like at home, still using the Rule of R while travelling will help decrease your waste.
Refuse- Say no whenever you can. Refuse plastic bags whilst buying groceries, refuse plastic straws when buying a drink, or simply don't buy it at all if you don't need to.
Reduce- It is easy to reduce your waste by opting to use reusable or package-free substitutes like in this packing list. Reduce your packaging by simply packing minimally and reducing the number of products you use.
Reuse- Reuse and repurpose used packaging, containers and unwanted items. We have reused plastic bags as laundry and bathroom bags, refilled containers at zero-waste stores and donated items we don't need or couldn't use, instead of throwing them away.
Repair- If something is broken, fix it. Instead of throwing away a pair of ripped clothing, take it in to get repaired or repair it yourself. For this reason, carrying a needle and thread while travelling long-term can come in handy.
Recycle- Although not always possible in underdeveloped countries, but placing recyclable items in a recycling bin will help eliminate them ending up in landfill. Sometimes I would keep washed out bottles and containers to either refill or place in a recycling bin when I saw one. Asking your accommodation about how they recycle will help you understand if this is possible for you.
Rot- Some sustainable accommodation places will have a compost bin. Disposing of compostable items, like food waste and bamboo, into a compost bin is a much more environmentally-friendly option than placing them in a general waste bin.
Support - Choose to support and stay in cafes, tour providers and accommodation with waste-free initiatives. Initiatives can include recycling, providing filtered water dispenses, composting bin, using reusable straws in restaurants, compostable takeaway containers, and providing reusable and refillable toiletries. A simple google search of sustainable businesses in the area you are visiting will help you choose a company that can support you on your journey to being a waste-free traveller. We try our best to include sustainable cafes, tour providers and accommodation places in our travel guides.
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Comment below if you have any other zero-waste travel tips or products that we should include.
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BR
BreannaCo-founder & Storyteller
Breanna is one half of Chalkie and the Chippy. A former country South Australian school teacher, she writes most of our destination guides and keeps the stories honest, practical and a little bit cheeky.
