Zero waste travel guide

Summer is just around the corner and we’re starting to plan our summer vacations and dream of beautiful destinations.

But at the same time, there’s this ecological conscience that makes us not want to take a low-cost flight to Barcelona, nor to go to the other end of the world. So how do you find the right compromise?

And what to pack in your zero-waste backpack / suitcase?

Here’s our guide to zero-waste travel, in Green Glitter mode! 🙂

Before you leave: a few tips

• Travel less far and/or with more responsible means of transport. You don’t have to travel to the other side of the world to feel like you’re on the move.
• Choose destinations that are less popular with tourists (it’s more pleasant and relieves congestion in already overcrowded areas).
• Adopt“slow tourism” : a philosophy that advocates simplicity, sustainability and taking your time. There’s no need to accumulate destinations and activities just to check them off your bucket list. Instead of running from left to right, you stay longer in one place, and quality wins out over quantity.

Do you have an adventurous, sporty spirit?

• Cyclotourism: travelling by bike (electric or otherwise), or cycling to your vacation destination, is not only pleasant, practical and environmentally friendly, it also opens the door to a whole host of adventures and vacation memories!
• Train: more and more destinations are opening up, with night trains in particular.
• Bus / Coach (such as Flixbusfor example, which goes to Barcelona for about 50.00 – in 12h, with a stop in Lyon)
• Hitchhiking or boat-hitchhiking
• Camping, sleeping in a tent (or under the stars)
• Discover carpooling
• Travelling by van (even though it consumes gas and is therefore more polluting). If you consider the whole trip and the resources used during your stay, in terms of space, water and electricity consumption, you’ll soon realize that compared with a hotel room, it’s probably more environmentally friendly).

And if you need a helping hand, visit eboqueen, the Swiss platform for sustainable travelfor sustainable travel.

What to pack

Put together your own minimalist, zero-waste toiletry bag

Basic equipment :

• Natural sun protection in stick or cream form Choose a mineral sunscreen without chemical filters to protect our health and aquatic organisms.
• Shampoing + Solid conditioner (which save space and weight compared to plastic bottles, and can often be used by the whole family) and a box to put them in (or, failing that, a dishcloth).
• Lwashable ingettessfor make-up removal and cleansing
• Dbiodegradable chewable toothpaste or solid toothpastelight, compact and natural, perfect for brushing in the river.
• Savon multi-usage “Le Globe-trotter“ -> Practical for camping because of its versatility – you can use it to clean your face, hair, hands, body, beard, soul mate, kids, dog, and even your teeth, laundry, house and dishes! Who can beat that? 🙂
• Toothbrush in beechwood made in Switzerland!
• Woodenhairbrush and/or comb (or the one you already have, no need to buy new, but if you need a new one then choose wood over plastic)
• Menstrual panties or menstrual cupeven a menstrual bathing suit (yes, yes, they do exist)
• Natural deodorantSolid or refillable, it regulates sweat and unpleasant odors without blocking them, even in midsummer.
• A cream or a vegetable oil for the face/body, such as our solid moisturizing bar with calendula or apricot baror a serum face .
• Roll-on for insect or plant bites insect or plant bites (long live nettles!), or to soothe minor aches and pains.

But still:

• From natural make-uplight and minimalist for summer
• A reusable ear cleaner (called“oriculi“)
• An essential oil (peppermint peppermint for motion sickness, for example, or spike lavender for insect bites)

The essentials in my handbag/backpack:

• From reusable cutlerySo you always have everything you need for an impromptu meal out.
• A stainless steel water bottle and possibly filtered to avoid plastic bottles if you’re going to a country where tap water is not drinkable (or add activated carbon or boil the water to purify it)
• Foldable shopping bag, a few bulk bags for your vegetables at the market or local grocery store.

And as a bonus :

• A Tupperware – for shopping at the delicatessen/cheese shop/fishmonger’s, or for storing leftovers at restaurants, or for carrying cut fruit
• A mug for a cup of tea or coffee on the go, if you’re a fan.
• A glass jar that can be used for both food and drink

What to do when you get there:

Zero waste consumption also means local and fair trade. Explore your vacation destination and discover the hidden nuggets!

Favoring small local businesses, accommodation and regional activities that not only don’t pollute unnecessarily, but also develop the local economy, rather than large multinationals. And of course, give priority to soft mobility. What better opportunity than on vacation, when you’ve got time on your hands?

We hope you found this little guide to zero-waste travel interesting! Here you are, with a few keys in hand to help you make the best choices, discover more sustainable alternatives and continue with your good habits away from home 🙂

Enjoy your vacations, get away from it all and blossom. Let us know in the comments your tips for more eco-responsible travel!