Think of the Environment when you travel

The topic about waste, plastic and the harms they do to the nature we depend on, are one of the most current discussion topics.  I put below some things I am trying to do while I travel but not only. I may not be perfect, far from that, but I am giving it a try and so if each of us try it, the results will grow bigger and bigger. Together we can make a difference. Hopefully some or all of the things i thought about are also for you. 

Here some things to consider that could make you part of helping out the environment. 

1. Take your garbage with you 

You would think that we live in a world where you would think people got educated by now, well, unfortunately they didn't!
​I am still shocked every time I see garbage on the side of the road, on the beach or anywhere we go. Remember to use the garbage bins provided to throw away your litter, if there are non, take it with you and dispose it once you found a garbage bin. Try to separate your garbage even when not at home. Several cities now, provide separate garbage bins for plastic/paper/glass so when possible make sure to separate.

2. Use a reusable water bottle 

Is it the water bottle or basically anything, make sure you have at home enough containers to reduce unnecessary use of one time use plastic. 

3. Bee-Wax can help 

This is something super cool I recently found out about. There are this bee-wax covered cotton cloths that can be used instead of aluminum foil or plastic foil. You can wrap almost anything in them (I think meat and fish can not). They get flexible at the touch of your hand. 

4. Say no to your plastic cup, straw, shopping bag

Get yourself a fold-able & heat-resistant cup, metal or bamboo straw and cotton shopping bags which you can use over and over again. This way you can avoid all the use of singe use plastic.  

French Press vs Capsules 

How do you like your coffee? Is it in one of this capsules or just filter coffee? Well when you chose your coffee try to also think of the environment. I know some companies are providing some bags and you can actually recycle the capsules, but are you doing it? Have you thought of French Press of Filter coffee instead? This is just a simple way of reducing some waste especially if you drink a lot of coffee every day :). There are French Presses that keep your coffee warm for a long time so perfect for the road. 

5. Resealable plastic bags 

Being them IKEA or any other brand, you tend to throw this fast away after use. But what if you wash them and re-use them? This way you will save money for buying new bags and help the nature consuming less plastic. 

6. Recycle & Reuse  

You want to buy new things as the season changed, the trend changed etc? Why not re-purpose what you already have. Pink is not in this years decoration trend? Why not use spray paint/acrylic paint to change it to gold? And what if from your IKEA Lack tables that got a bit used you build a shelf or some storage? Thought about not buying a cat tree for your cat but instead arrange your furniture in such a way that your cat can climb and see the world from the top? You need a table for your TV in your rented apartment? But did you think that maybe that unused chair in the corner of your house can be perfectly used as a TV stand. You  want new clothes but your wardrobe is full? Why not sell/donate your old clothes and for each item you find a new house/new use you can buy a new one instead. The idea is to buy less, and I am not the one encouraging you to get to minimalism, this seems almost impossible to me, but before throwing away something (anything) think if it can be re-used in any way that can solve another need you have. 

7. Separate your garbage 

I know i mentioned it a bit at the beginning of the post, but will highlight here again.
If you are from one of the countries that this is not being done, then lets say you might have an excuse, but in Europe at least, more and more countries get into a well defined and more efficient sorting system. Make sure you familiarize yourself with it and try to sort as much as possible. 

8. Rethink the way you travel every day & on holiday 

Use the bike/walk if you live in small cities, get public transport if you live in big cities or travelling from one city to another, consider the train when possible. Make sure that on top of the time and money you also consider the environment on your next trip. This of course can't not be possible for everyone, but when you have the option go for the most environment friendly option that works for you.