As the school bells ring one last time and summer stretches out before us, many people are preparing for travel, trips, and holidays. Whether you’re planning an exotic adventure, a road trip with friends, or a relaxing staycation, the world is yours to explore. Coinciding with this season of wanderlust, it is also Plastic-Free July—a global movement encouraging us to reduce plastic waste and make more sustainable choices. By combining the spirit of travel with eco-consciousness, you can embark on a zero waste travel journey. Read on for some plastic-free travel tips to help you minimise waste while exploring the world.
Why Plastic-Free July is the Perfect Time for Sustainable Travel
Plastic-Free July challenges us to rethink our consumption habits, and what better way to embrace this than by making your travels more eco-friendly? Small swaps can make a big difference—not just for the environment, but also for the convenience of travelling plastic-free.
Essential Plastic-Free Travel Tips
Whether you’re heading abroad or staying local, these plastic-free travel tips will help you minimise waste and travel more sustainably.
1. Switch to solid cosmetics
Bid farewell to bulky and messy plastic bottles and embrace the bar! Whether you’re looking for shampoo, conditioner, body wash or deodorant – we have them all in bar-form! Dodge the liquid limit on your hand luggage, and travel light and free from plastic. All bars fit snugly into our handy travel tins, making them a zero waste travel essential.
2. Carry reusable snack bags or wraps
You know how it is when you’re out and about and your belly starts rumbling! On-the-go snacking is a travel essential, but it often leaves a trail of single-use plastic wrappers behind. Instead, opt for reusable snack bags to keep your goodies fresh and reduce waste – they can be easily washed for future use. Packing your own snacks from home also helps to save money, and you’ll have your favourite treats conveniently to hand.
3. Soap saver bags
The perfect companion to your soap bars—soap saver bags double up as storage while travelling and can be used for washing too! The scrubby sisal plant fibre helps create extra lather and exfoliates the skin. Compared to bottles of shower gel, soap bars are compact, versatile, and often made with nourishing natural ingredients. Not only will you save space in your luggage, but you’ll also contribute to a plastic-free travel experience.
4. Reusable cutlery
Plastic cutlery is one of the most commonly littered items, with 4.25 billion pieces used in England each year alone. Our reusable upcycled wooden cutlery sets are light and compact—perfect for camping or eating out sans plastic, not only during plastic-free July! Each set includes a knife, fork, spoon, bamboo straw and straw cleaner, and comes in a GOTS-certified organic cotton pouch, making them ideal for zero waste travel.
5. Natural deodorant
Stay fragrant on-the-go without contributing to plastic waste by switching to our natural deodorants. Whether you’re stuck in a car, train or plane to your holiday destination; exploring a city; going hiking; or catching some rays – it’s nice to feel fresh! Our plastic-free natural deodorant comes in tubes or tins (including travel tins), helping to eliminate odour, soften skin and subtly scent – cheers, essential oils!
6. Bamboo toothbrushes
Maintain your oral hygiene routine sustainably while travelling with a bamboo toothbrush and travel case. Slim and light, our bamboo toothbrush travel cases keep your brush clean and tidy and contain a drainage hole at each end to help your brush dry out after use. Keep the plastic-free travel theme going with a matching bamboo toothbrush with 100% castor oil bristles—we sell both together for a discount!
7. Travel dish soap bars
Washing reusable containers or cutlery during your journey becomes a breeze with dish soap bars. These solid soaps are perfect for minimising plastic waste and keeping your eco-conscious habits intact even when you’re far from home. If you didn’t know, our award-winning dish soap comes in a travel size – these handy pucks, made with organic coconut oil, fit perfectly into our travel tins. Ideal for taking on camping trips to keep dishes sparkling, they are also pretty nifty at cleaning surfaces and removing stains from clothes.
8. Clothing
When packing for plastic-free travel, it’s important to consider all aspects of your wardrobe, including underwear. Choosing sustainable, natural fabrics like 100% organic cotton is not only better for your skin but also for the environment. Conventional synthetic underwear often contains plastic fibers like polyester, which can shed microplastics into water systems during washing. To help you feel comfortable during your trip and make sure your skin breathes, check Q for Quinn’s collection of 100% organic cotton underwear for women.
Final Thoughts on Plastic-Free Travel
Plastic-Free July provides the perfect opportunity to adopt sustainable swaps that not only benefit our planet but also make our travels more convenient and enjoyable. From compact shampoo bars to reusable cutlery sets and bamboo toothbrushes, each small change can add up to a big difference. By incorporating these plastic-free travel tips into your routine, you can ensure your adventures are both memorable and environmentally friendly.
Happy and responsible travels! Looking for more zero waste travel ideas? Shop our on-the-go range, here.
