What’s the Easiest Way to Cut Plastic Waste While Travelling? 6 Eco-Friendly Ideas
Every year, India generates over 3.4 million tonnes of plastic waste, much of it made up of single-use items that often end up in landfills, oceans, or the very destinations we escape to for peace and beauty.
While most of us meticulously plan our holidays—shortlisting spots, booking stays, curating itineraries—our waste footprint often gets left out of the checklist. On the other hand, many travellers are beginning to seek eco-conscious choices but aren’t always sure where to start.
The good news? A plastic-free vacation isn’t difficult—it just needs a bit of intention.
We’ve rounded up some tried-and-tested swaps that are easy to pack, simple to use, and help ensure your travel leaves behind memories, not waste. Whether you’re travelling solo or with family, these small changes can go a long way in protecting the environment you love to explore.
1. BYOB: Bring your own bottle
Single-use plastic bottles are among the most commonly discarded items during travel. In India alone, over 14 billion plastic bottles are used annually, and many end up littering tourist destinations or clogging natural ecosystems.
One of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce this waste is to carry your own reusable water bottle.
One of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce this waste is to carry your own reusable water bottle. It’s a small habit shift that pays off every time you choose to refill rather than buy.
Whether you’re navigating a sunny trail or walking through a bustling city, staying hydrated is key—and so is staying sustainable. Look for refill points at cafes, hotels, or public water stations, and consciously choose to skip that next plastic bottle.
2. Cloth napkins
Whether it’s wiping your hands after a meal or cleaning up after a quick snack, tissues are a go-to travel essential for many. But what often goes unnoticed is how quickly they pile up—used once and tossed away, adding to the mounting problem of single-use waste.
A simple alternative? Carry a set of reusable cloth napkins from home. They’re soft and durable and can be washed and reused throughout your trip. You’ll cut down significantly on waste without compromising on hygiene or convenience.
Pro tip: Do you have old clothes lying around? With a quick stitch, you can repurpose them into travel-friendly napkins. It’s sustainable, budget-friendly, and adds a personal touch to your zero-waste kit.
3. Reusable cutlery, boxes & straws
We’ve all been there—tempted by a roadside cup of chai or a steaming plate of Maggi on a hilltop. But these quick indulgences often come served in disposable plastic or paper cups and plates that end up as trash long after your snack is gone.
This is where carrying your own cutlery and reusable containers makes a big difference.
Carrying your own cutlery and reusable containers makes a big difference.
The next time you stop for a snack, simply ask the vendor to serve it on your own plate or cup. Most are more than happy to accommodate, and you’ll walk away guilt-free, knowing you didn’t leave behind waste for a 10-minute meal.
Bonus tip: Pack a compact kit with a reusable spoon, fork, straw, and a lightweight tiffin or Tupperware box. It’s especially useful when you decide to pack leftovers or grab a takeaway from a dhaba en route. You’ll be surprised at how much disposable packaging you can avoid with just a bit of foresight.
4. Zero-waste toilet kit
A toiletry kit is a must-have while travelling, but it’s also one of the most common sources of plastic waste. From disposable toothbrushes to single-use shampoo sachets and travel-sized body wash bottles, the plastic footprint adds up quickly.
Refill your shampoo or conditioner into small reusable bottles.
The good news? Sustainable swaps are simple and effective.
- Switch to a bamboo toothbrush—it’s biodegradable and just as effective as its plastic counterpart. Once it’s worn out, don’t toss it—reuse it as a cleaning brush for sinks or corners at home.
- Skip the body wash and opt for a bar of soap—it’s compact, travel-friendly, and comes without plastic packaging.
- Refill your shampoo or conditioner into small reusable bottles from home instead of buying miniatures or sachets.
These small choices can go a long way in making your travel lighter, both on your luggage and the environment.
5. Tote bags
Reusable cloth bags, especially totes, can be one of the most versatile tools in your plastic-free travel kit. While we often associate them with grocery runs, they’re just as handy on vacation.
Use them for:
- Shopping at local markets
- Beach trips to carrying towels and sunscreen
- Storing used or wet clothes until laundry day
Tote bags are lightweight, durable, and easy to roll into your suitcase. Most importantly, they help you avoid collecting single-use plastic bags that often get discarded during or after the trip.
Packing a couple of these can go a long way in reducing your environmental footprint, while adding both function and charm to your travel essentials.
6. Digital tickets
In an age where everything is a tap away, going paperless while travelling is easier than ever and far more sustainable.
Whether it’s your flight boarding pass, hotel reservation, inter-city bus or train ticket, most travel providers now accept digital copies on your phone. By choosing e-tickets and digital ID storage, you can avoid printing unnecessary paper documents that often end up crumpled, lost, or discarded.
Not only does this reduce paper waste, but it also helps you stay more organised—no more fumbling through your bag for a piece of paper at the boarding gate.
It’s a small shift that brings both convenience and environmental impact into your journey.
Travelling with Infants or Toddlers? Here’s How You Can Keep It Sustainable
Travelling with a little one means you’re already thinking five steps ahead — snacks, diapers, nap schedules, backups for everything. And in the middle of all this, thinking about sustainability might feel like one more thing on the list.
But here’s a thought: what if small, doable swaps could make a big difference, without adding to your mental load?
Use your baby bag as a shopping or day bag while travelling — it saves space and reduces waste.
For instance:
- Instead of grabbing packaged snacks on the go, could you pack your toddler’s favourites from home in small, reusable containers? They’ll stay fresh, and you’ll avoid single-use wrappers.
- Got a baby bag with all those compartments? That same bag can double up as your shopping tote or day bag at your destination — less to carry, and less to throw away.
- If you’ve ever been curious about cloth diapers but weren’t sure when to try them, a short trip with laundry access might be a great place to start. Even switching for part of the trip can help reduce waste.
- And if you’re someone who menstruates, have you tried a menstrual cup or reusable cloth pad? Many parents say it’s been one of their most empowering switches for travel.
Of course, every child and every parent is different. The idea isn’t perfection, but being a little more mindful of what we carry and what we leave behind. Because the choices we make — even in the chaos of toddler tantrums and snack-time negotiations — can gently shape the kind of world our kids grow up in.
And that’s a pretty meaningful souvenir to bring back from any trip.
Edited by Leila Badyari
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