Outside of the house, the zero waste lifestyle can also be adopted. The gestures and habits of the house are quite similar, it is a matter of organizing and acting in a preventive way.
Extending zero waste outside your home extends your efforts and allows you to share and inspire others.
A zero waste vacation also means saving time, making savings, being aware of the environment, and it's good for your health.
Outings and tips
Zero waste equipment
Zero waste hygiene when traveling
Zero waste shopping on vacation
1. Zero waste equipment
Are you going out? Think about the day ahead! A mug, cup or a water bottle will come in handy depending on the trip. If you're going to a school party, a festival, a Christmas market, bring a cutlery set, a napkin and a cup. If you're going to the movies, a water bottle and a snack in a box will be a great help to avoid plastic sodas and packaged sweet temptations.
As you guessed, being foresighted is the key to the "success" of your zero waste outings!
When going to a restaurant, here are some tips :
The choice of restaurants is important: prefer establishments with sustainable practices and offering local organic food
Take a jar with you to collect leftovers and avoid waste
Refuse unnecessary packaging: the napkin around the ice cream cone, the fork in the fries cone, the paper placemat, the cardboard coaster, the paper towels.
Find out how your order will be served: straw, disposable cutlery ?
Some additional tips to anticipate "confrontation" with waste :
Take your water bottle with you, it will serve you during the trip and the stay.
Refuse straws in your drinks, you can even take a reusable one with you.
Refuse headphones on the plane.
2. Zero waste hygiene when traveling
Lightweight, long-lasting, space-saving and spill-free: solid care in the bathroom is a solution to reducing plastic garbage.
Here are some tips easy to set up :
Bring your shampoo at the hotel to avoid the replacement and production of the small plastic bottles offered.
In your toiletry bag, get rid of unnecessary products and those you don't know what they are made of. Replace with natural products and keep it simple. If it's good for the environment, chances are it's good for your skin!
When traveling as well as at home, we save water during the shower and reuse the bath towel.
3. Zero waste shopping on vacation
3.5 million* km²: there are 5 continents of plastic trapped by ocean currents in our oceans, called gyres, formed because of our polluting activities. (in 2017)**
Remember to take a few reusable bags with you when you go shopping near your home. You can also use the containers and reusable bags you brought with you on your trip. Take some time to :
Locate farmers' markets, butcher shops and bakeries.
Make some inquiries about the recycling practices in your area.
Do a small search for businesses offering bulk products near your home.
In the end, it is an extension of your usual practice. Refuse, reduce, reuse are always the key words at home as well as when traveling. Anticipating allows you to reduce waste. There will be slippages, we can't foresee everything and not everyone understands the process.
It is your new way of life and it is very satisfying!
Sylvie
*https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0111913
**https://app.dumpark.com/seas-of-plastic-2/