Being out of my normal routine

Once I had my Zero Waste routine set up at home, things got into a rhythm and it became easy.  However what about when out of the house or on holiday?

I am currently travelling in British Columbia, Canada, and wanted to share what I travel with to keep my zero waste lifestyle going in another country.  These principles can be applied to a day trip, weekend away, or a longer holiday.  I find it important to remember that I may not be able to do everything I would like to. There may be practical restrictions in the place I am visiting, but I focus on what I can achieve.

The adventure in Canada

We are on a road trip for 6 weeks so won’t be eating out all the time.  We are planing to be self catering much of the time, where we have a kitchen, and buying as much unprocessed food as possible, so we can make our own meals and snacks.  This is already an important part of our day-to-day life from both a health perspective and to save money.

I have with me the following items (this list is for two people);

  • Aero press coffee maker – buying locally roasted coffee from independent producers as we need it.
  • Cool bag and mini ice block – to keep leftovers or milk while in the car between locations.
  • Reusable coffee cups (Keep Cup)
  • Water bottles (Aquatina)
  • Cup – for non water based drinks
  • Plates
  • Cutlery
  • Napkins
  • Hankies
  • Tupperware boxes – for leftovers, picnics and to double up as bowls
  • Material shopping bags
  • Onya washable veg bags for produce / bread
  • Washing up liquid (mini) – for washing up without a kitchen
  • Laundry liquid (mini) – for napkins / hankies and anything else urgent!
  • Tea towel & dish cloth
  • Small sharp knife
  • Mini chopping board
  • Bag to put this all in
My travelling zero waste kit

My travelling zero waste kit

Tips & challenges

I am aiming to find shops that sell local fruit & veg loose, and other items where possible.

So far in Vancouver we found the local supermarket (IGA) had all the fruit and veg we needed loose (mostly from BC) and organic milk in returnable glass bottles.  We also found brown rice grown in British Columbia (brown paper bag), and a market stall selling lots of loose items where I could get nuts for the next car journey.

Local produce in my washable Onya veg bags

Local produce in my washable Onya veg bags

If the place I am staying doesn’t have recycling in the building, or the owners have not made provision for guests, then I take my items to the nearest on-street recycling bins.  The local city, or council, website can help me find the nearest ones.

The big zero waste challenge for me is not having my compost bin for food waste.  Food waste collection is not as widespread as other kinds of recycling.  This is one of those things that I have to accept is not going to be possible on much of this trip.  But if I find any I will be using it.  The Tupperware is going to have many uses!

What could you take out with you next time you leave home to reduce your waste?