Top Tips for Zero Waste Travel
For many people, travelling is all about chasing sunsets, ticking off bucket lists, and maybe even losing track of what day it is. But here’s the harder part; while soaking up new sights, it’s shockingly easy to leave a trail of waste behind. If you think about it airports, hotels, and tourist traps are basically waste factories if left unchecked. Even your flight or train ride alone is highly likely to have some waste to it. So apart from never leaving home again, what can we do?
Fortunately it doesn’t take much to turn a waste-heavy getaway into one that’s light, guilt-free, and just as exciting. It’s all about those small, clever swaps that still leave room for the ice cream, the late nights, and the quirky souvenirs.
Rethink the Packing List
Just like reducing food waste begins before you reach the supermarket, a Zero Waste trip starts with the packing. Overpacking is a fast track to over-wasting. More stuff means more clutter, more temptation to ditch things mid-trip, and usually a few panicked purchases on the road.
But cutting it down to the essentials (with a few trusty reusables thrown in) means fewer “Why did I bring this?” moments later. That water bottle, the humble cloth shopping bag, and solid toiletries are tiny waste-saving legends.
Cut the Airport Waste
Airports can be a wasteland of plastic, overpriced snacks, and impulse buys nobody really needs. It’s hard to walk five metres without tripping over a bin full of waste and soggy sandwich wrappers.
However there are a few things you can do – walking through security with a reusable water bottle that’ll be refilled at a fountain later is one tiny step you can take.
Tidy Up the Transport Choices
Planes serve up plastic galore, you’ve got the wrapped utensils, headphone packs, and meals with enough packaging to rival a toy shop. But you usually don’t have to use these, instead, check with the airline before hand then pack a mini survival kit of homemade snacks, a reusable fork or spork, and a big ‘no thanks’ to the in-flight meal (sometimes you can even skip on paying these when booking your ticket).
If you’re not travelling by air, trains and road trips make it easier to BYO treats and reusable containers. You can fill a cool bag before hitting the road and breeze past those depressing service station aisles filled with single-use everything. Plus, homemade sandwiches will always beat overpriced motorway snacks (or what you find at the kiosk at train stations).
Minimise Waste with Smarter Accommodation Choices
Many hotels love their little waste traps, like the individually wrapped soaps, single-serve coffee pods, and fresh towels daily whether they’re needed or not. But there is a sea change and some much needed improvements have been made with some chains and family-run hotels.
Another option is to ditch the hotel completely and make the journey the holiday! For example, some people will opt for an overnight sleeper train (sometimes going to their destination and back). when travelling like this, consider storing bags in a temporary storage space like left luggage rather than renting a hotel room.
And of course there is specialised sustainable accommodation available through sites such as Air bnb – you can find some amazing places which have a tiny waste footprint.
Shop and Eat Like a Local
Tourist hotspots can be like walking into an overpriced packaging tornado with everything cling-wrapped, and souvenir shops bursting with plastic trinkets destined for a charity shop.
However, you can usually find farmers’ markets or small family-run shops bringing more character, less plastic, and a deeper connection to the destination. The food’s better, the packaging’s lighter, and the whole experience feels more like a proper adventure. Plus, who doesn’t want to come home with a jar of something tasty instead of another fridge magnet?
Be Mindful of the Tiny Things
Back in the day, my husband and I used to call these ‘dustbin demons’ – those little things you don’t think about that add up, such as receipts that pile up in pockets, and plastic straws in every cocktail.
Switching to digital versions of maps, menus, and tickets cuts down on paper waste. Saying “no thanks” to the usual stirrers and napkins feels like a small act but adds up big time over the course of a trip. Toss in a reusable napkin or handkerchief and suddenly there’s less waste.
Leave No Trace (Even in Cities)
Leave no trace isn’t just for hikers in muddy boots. City breaks, beach escapes, and countryside retreats all come with their fair share of wasteful traps. So no matter where you’re going, just avoiding single-use plastics, sticking to reusable swaps, and being thoughtful about shopping choices helps keep things light.
Travel Slow and Stay Longer
One of the easiest ways to minimise waste is to resist the urge to hop from place to place like it’s a race. Instead, just slowing down and spending more time in one spot naturally reduces waste. Fewer transfers and fewer rushed takeaways, mean more chances to settle into a rhythm where reusable habits stick. And you’ll arrive home feeling refreshed, rather than needing another holiday!
What about you? How do you keep waste to a minimum when travelling?