Summer holidays have a way of sneaking up. One week it is chilly in the evenings, the next you are hunting for your beach bag and wondering why your travel kit always seems half empty. If you have ever packed last minute and ended up buying bottled water, plastic-wrapped snacks and those leaky travel minis, you are not alone.
Most trips produce more waste than we admit. It is not intentional but with airport security bins, quick pit stops and disposable packaging, even a short break can mean extra plastic you never planned to use.
A few easy swaps make a big difference. Once you try them, you will wonder why you did not travel this way sooner.
Choose a reusable water bottle you actually like
A good bottle is worth its weight in gold when travelling. Airports, trains or road trips, staying hydrated is cheaper and simpler if you do not rely on store-bought bottles. Stainless steel bottles keep drinks cold and survive knocks in your bag without leaks.
Keep it empty through airport security and refill it after. Most airports now have fountains so you skip expensive bottled water and avoid plastic waste.
Solid toiletries save space and cut plastic
Travel minis are convenient but wasteful. They leak, run out halfway and come wrapped in layers of plastic.
Solid shampoo, conditioner and soap bars do the job with no leaks and no waste. Wrap them in a beeswax cloth or pack in a metal tin. Easy to grab, easy to repack when moving on.
Pack a simple cutlery set and cloth napkin
Spontaneous picnics and street snacks are half the joy of a holiday. They are also when plastic forks and paper napkins sneak in.
Bring a lightweight bamboo or stainless steel cutlery set plus a cloth napkin. It takes up little space and means you are ready to enjoy a pastry by the sea or fresh fruit from a market stall.
Beeswax wraps: small but mighty
One beeswax wrap covers many jobs. Use it to pack a sandwich, wrap cheese or cover fruit. Flexible and reusable, it cuts out cling film and fits easily back into daily life once home.
Toothpaste tablets for mess-free brushing
Toothpaste tablets look unusual but work brilliantly for travel. No tube leaks, no sticky caps. Just chew, brush and rinse.
Keep a few in a tin or jar in your wash bag and never worry about liquid allowances again.
Bring a foldable shopping bag
Souvenirs, local produce or an unexpected picnic, a foldable cotton or mesh bag handles it all. It weighs next to nothing and saves you grabbing a plastic carrier every time.
Tidy up with compostable sponges or a loofah
Self-catering? You will probably rinse a mug or plate at some point. Holiday rentals often provide disposable sponges that get binned after one stay.
Bring your own compostable sponge or a small natural loofah. Better to use and simple to compost when you are back.
Keep your kit organised with a pouch
A small zip pouch keeps your cutlery, napkin, wraps and tablets together. No rummaging in your bag and you have a mini zero-waste kit ready to grab any time.
Why bother?
Waste-free travel is not about perfection. It is about being ready enough so you skip single-use extras without stress. One less plastic fork, one less tiny shampoo bottle, one less bottle of water thrown away.
Most people find they prefer it this way. Less clutter, fewer overpriced airport purchases and more time enjoying the good parts, the sun, the new view, the feeling of living lighter even away from home.
Your sustainable summer travel checklist
☐ Stainless steel water bottle
☐ Solid shampoo, conditioner and soap bars
☐ Beeswax wrap or two
☐ Toothpaste tablets in a tin
☐ Bamboo or stainless steel cutlery set
☐ Cloth napkin
☐ Foldable cotton or mesh bag
☐ Compostable sponge or travel loofah
☐ Zip pouch for your kit
Pick what fits your trip. Use it, bring it back, repeat. That is it.
Find extra support in our earlier articles on "Sustainable Summer Travel: Must-Have Eco-Friendly Products".
FAQs
Are solid bars suitable for all hair types?
Yes. There are versions for curly, dry, oily or coloured hair, just like bottled shampoo. It might feel different for a wash or two but many people stick with them at home too.
What if I forget my water bottle?
It happens. If you buy bottled water, reuse the bottle for the rest of your trip instead of tossing it after one use.
How long do beeswax wraps last?
Usually about six months to a year. Wash in cool water with mild soap, air dry and avoid using them on hot food.
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Recommended books for further reading:
- 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste
- Live Green: 52 Steps for A More Sustainable Life
- Practical Self-sufficiency: The complete guide to sustainable living today
- Simply Living Well: A Guide to Creating a Natural, Low-Waste Home
- Sustainable Home: Practical projects, tips and advice for maintaining a more eco-friendly