Keep up the revolution on holiday
Friday 20 December 2019
Don’t let your good recycling and low waste habits end when you head off on holiday.
Here we’ve put together some tips to help you stay revolutionary during your summer break.
It might be a bit more tricky than usual, but it’ll be worth it.
1. Make and take your zero waste kit
Make sure everyone has their own zero waste kit of a:
- stainless steel water bottle
- reusable coffee cup or reusable straw for the smoothie drinkers
- cutlery (you don’t need to buy anything fancy or new – just take some from home if you’re not flying)
- reusable bags.
You’ll probably have these items lying around at home, so there’s no need to buy anything new.
Also make sure you take some reusable produce bags – which can carry everything from fruit and veg to bread rolls or laundry – and a couple of cloth napkins if you don’t already have a stash of serviettes in the car!
2. Know what’s happening at your destination
When you’re at your favourite holiday spot, search Planet Ark’s RecyclingNearYou to check out the local recycling guidelines and ensure you are recycling right.
Many other council areas offer a food and green waste composting service, so look out for this. Remember, they might have different rules to what you’re used to because they will have a different processor, so make sure you follow their instructions. When in Rome…
3. Staying sun smart
Sunscreen is a stable of the Australian summer, but it also means a lot of plastic containers.
There are some sunscreens out there available in glass. Long sleeves and long pants are a great alternative, especially if you’re going swimming – so don’t forget your rashie. And a wide-brimmed hat!
4. Leave only footprints
If you’re having a break in nature, be sure to take back everything you bring in, including fruit peels. Consider taking an extra bag for any rubbish.
5. Get the car ready
If you’re travelling in your car, bring a small box or bag to collect recyclables so you’re not tempted to throw them all in with the rest of your rubbish.
6. Hop on your bike instead
Public transport might not be as readily available on public holidays, but it never stops in urban centres and with a little planning ahead-of-time isn’t likely to slow you down too much.
Or take the bike and pootle around instead for firing up the car.
If you’re heading away, be sociable and share the trip with your friends and family if you can.
7. Trust us, you already have a summer wardrobe
If you’re tempted by a new outfit or two for the holiday, ask yourself: ‘Do I really need this?’
Do you already have something similar from last year? Can you invest in some small repairs to make your clothing last longer? Or bring clothing that may not fit quite right back to life?
And don’t forget to look after your clothes by following the care instructions.
Think about buying high-quality, second-hand items if you really, really need a new outfit.
8. Turn it off
You might not be paying the bills at your holiday destination, but there’s still a cost to the environment. Make sure you turn off all your lights and appliances when leaving your room and if you’re at a hotel, leave the ‘Do not disturb’ sign on your door unless the room really needs cleaning.
This not only cuts down on your energy use, but also the water and chemicals used in cleaning.
9. Change the menu
Reduce the environmental impact of your holiday meals by trying some meat-free recipes. A new year and a new location might be just the time to try out some new recipe ideas.
If you have any questions or suggestions about a low waste holiday, please let us know at [email protected].