All in the Bag
Clara Williams Roldan, a Sydney-based NGO staffer who wrote the 224-page guide Quitting Plastic ( allenandunwin.com) with her mother Louise Williams, shares their tips for reducing waste while on the road. WHAT ARE THE THREE ESSENTIAL ITEMS WE SHOULD PACK IN A PLASTIC-FREE TRAVEL KIT AND WHY?
A reusable water bottle, reusable coffee cup, and wooden cutlery. This way, you can avoid a lot of waste at airports, bus and train stations, and while you’re en route. Many airports have installed filtered water taps. You can empty your bottle before security, then refill it on the other side for free. WE’RE TRAVELING WITH AN INFANT. WHAT GOOD ALTERNATIVES ARE THERE FOR WET WIPES AND DIAPERS?
Nowadays there are great compostable and biodegradable disposable diapers made from natural materials like bamboo, so you don’t need to hand-wash dirty cloth ones in hotel rooms. It’s worth remembering that the polyester disposable diapers that currently dominate the market each take a cup of crude oil to make and about 150 years to break down in landfill. And try bamboo compostable wipes instead. They are so much better than the usual ones that are plasticized so clog up drains and put wildlife at risk. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STORE SHOES AND DIRTY CLOTHES IN LUGGAGE?
Big retailers are selling lots of reusable options including waterproof bags of any size. Stores that cater for campers and hikers are a good place to look. AND WHAT SUSTAINABLE TOILETRIES AND NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCTS DO YOU RECOMMEND?
Solid soap, shampoo, and conditioner. These products often have exactly the same ingredients as their liquid counterparts, but without the added water. They are great for traveling because they are light, take up so little space, and can be stored in your carry-on. HOW DO WE CUT DOWN ON PACKAGED SNACKS?
Buy in bulk, then divide these snacks into smaller containers and bring them along. When you’re traveling, try taking the time to sit down and enjoy a coffee and a snack rather than grabbing something to go. It will help you get into holiday mode while also helping the environment. THE TAP WATER ISN’T SAFE TO DRINK WHERE WE’RE GOING. HOW CAN WE AVOID BUYING WATER IN PLASTIC BOTTLES?
You can try refilling your own bottle from big water coolers or water filter stations in places such as hotel lobbies, cafés, and restaurants. That said, safety comes first, so if that isn’t possible, don’t put your health at risk. If you really must, buy bigger bottles to reduce the overall amount of plastic. WE’D LOVE TO TRY THE STREET FOOD BUT DON’T WANT TO CREATE EXTRA WASTE. HOW DO WE GET AROUND THAT?
Bring your own reusable cutlery. A reusable container is great too: most on the market are light and compact, and you can even get collapsible ones made of silicone if you are really short on space! WHAT WAS A MAJOR CHALLENGE YOU FACED IN GOING PLASTIC-FREE?
Over the years, we’ve discovered one of the biggest hurdles to quitting plastic is psychological. We humans are mostly herd animals and creatures of habit. We often feel uncomfortable challenging the status quo, in this case plastic-packaged, disposable convenience. That said, once you start, it quickly becomes a habit!