11 days, no trash. I DID IT!
I would like to thank a few of my favorite things that helped me stay waste-free throughout the trip:
My mason jar:
Mason jar, love of my life- leaving home without one is just unthinkable! I used it for water on the airplane, wine on the train, juice during the day, and snacks whenever. Plus I LOVED the quirky smiles I got when I held it out to the flight attendant and asked for water. They all gave me this little look of pride, and some even commented and said that it was cool, and they love using glass over plastic!
My reusable bags:
I used my reusable bags every day and always kept one in my purse wherever I was going, because come on, it’s Europe and there is bound to be some food or something that you want to tote along! I had it when I went to the vintage stores, and I luckily brought two when I went to the flea market and found FIVE vintage Le Creuset pots in orange with wooden handles for 20 Euros (I might have needed a massage after, but I didn’t make any trash!) And then when I was traveling home, I put my shoes in them to keep the rest of my clothing clean.
My toiletries packed in glass:
They look sexy AND they are so easy to pack. The biggest benefit in my opinion is being able to get every last drop of shampoo and conditioner out of them. I totally remember being on vacation when I would use those plastic travel sized ones and never having enough, even though I could have sworn there was a day of soap left, stuck in the creases of plastic never to be used.
My good packing skills:
I thought I was a good packer, but on this trip, I became a Michelin Star, Seven Thumbs Up packer thanks to my cousin and her friend. As I was packing to leave Switzerland and head to France, I was folding my items, one by one, and was halted by the packing police. ROLL they said, ROLL! And roll I did. My overstuffed suitcase was transformed into a roomy bag that still had HALF OF ITS SPACE LEFT! Plus, did you know that the top part of the suitcase is usable? Like, you are supposed to put garment bags there full of your nice clothing and it also adds a TON of space to your bag- who knew? I didn’t! The next time I go on vacation, I will do a post on this method. It is GENIUS. As always: I pack all black so my clothing always matches!
My ability to say NO, I don’t need this:
I am indecisive beyond indecisive. I am the girl that stares at the juice bar menu for ten minutes deciding what I want, that paces around a shop for half an hour with one thing in my hand deciding if I really want it. To be honest, it is one of my best (albeit annoying to some) traits. It allows me to really contemplate things and determine if they are really necessary and if they are what I want. If I buy something impulsively and right away, without hesitation, it is because I am obsessed with it. Like the blue scarf that I bought for 1 Euro at a vintage store, my orange Le Creuset pots, or a supply of Organic underwear at the supermarket in Basel. However, for larger purchases, like a pair of shoes that I purchased in Paris, I try them on, and then leave the store. If I keep thinking about them throughout the day, I will go back and get them. If they are still there, and I try them on again and love them, they will come home with me. If not, I saved myself some money and space in my closet.
11 days, Zero Waste. Done and Done! I did it. You can too!
25 comments
What a timely post. Headed to DC in June with spouse & child. While they are supportive of our new ZW habits, they're not entirely willing to go without all the time. We did our best with zero waste in Hawaii this past January–hitting whole foods with our reusables was our very first stop after landing in Honolulu–but we still made some trash (paper wrappers from eating out, cash register receipts, ticket stubs, other stuff I can't recall). I know we'll have access to WF Market again in DC but I'm apprehensive about being prepared for all the spontaneous trash. Still, if you can do it for 11 days in a foreign country, I have more confidence that I can do it for 5 days here in the states. So glad I found your blog!!
Hi and thanks for your comment! It is so exciting that you are wanted to go ZW during your vacation! I understand how difficult it can seem.
For things like paper wrappers from eating out, ticket stubs and the like, I ended up taking some stuff around for a while until I found a place where I could properly recycle it. For instance, ticket stubs I kept in my purse and recycled in municipal recycling once I got to Paris since it wasn't as readily available in Switzerland. Additionally, I would carry around a lightweight tote to collect any recyclables so I didn't have an excuse to throw them out.
On your trip, as you go throughout your day (of course it is best to try to avoid trash) but if you find yourself in a situation where you receive something that is recyclable but aren't around a bin, you can put it in your bag and make one trip at the end of your trip to whole foods to recycle everything since they have a variety of options and even take plastic bags and corks! You could even compost paper wrappers at WF if you keep them and collect them in your bag.
I'm so excited for you, I hope you have an amazing trip! Feel free to write me with any questions 🙂
Lauren
rolling clothing is truly the best – a life-changing method for packing. kudos on an amazing post and what I'm sure was an amazing trip!
Rolling clothes saved me from having to check a bag! Such an amazing technique!!
Lauren
Incroyable!!
Merci, ma belle!
You are such an inspiration for all of us. Not sure how you managed to do all this but its pretty amazing!
Wow, thank you SO much!! 🙂
this post is definitely one of my favorites.. you make zero-waste living seem so effortless – it's inspirational for all of us trying to do the same!
Thanks, Kate!!!
Very inspiring…I travel a lot and I know I can get lazy with my eating/drinking/recycling regime when away from home…you make it just seem easy, common sense and fun…wish I'd done the rolling clothes idea years ago on tour…would have made life a lot easier..thanks! Always take time making decisions ..do I need this or just want it!
Thanks..
Thanks for your comment! I can't believe it took me 23 years to figure out rolling. Better late than never!
Ok, this is incredible. It took a lot of thought and planning for you to make this a success. Congratulations! Oh, and I'm exactly the same way about decisions. Cheers to indecisiveness!
Hi Elizabeth! Thank you so much!!! It was such a great feeling 🙂 Being indecisive is good, I think, maybe… hmm…. ya, its good.
:)))
Hi Lauren,
A first time comment here, first of all: loving the blog, I recently came across it through our Plastic-Free Tuesday initiative that we're trying to set up and it really caught our eye. Very impressive!
Actually.. I am attempting zero-waste/plastic-free air travel myself next week for the first time, and I've found the tips here super useful and inspiring, it can be done! 🙂 I also have two questions left that I'd love to get your reaction on: first one: how did you get your jar on board with European travel regulations? does it count as a container if you don't put the lid on, or you think you slipped right through? I actually have managed to get full plastic bottles on board with European travel regulations? Will it not count as a container if you put the lid off? or do you think you slipped by? I actually managed to get full plastic bottles on board before, which were at the bottom of my bag, by accident, but am afraid that they ask me to part from my new lovely glass new too soon if they see it:-) How did it work for you? Second, where you on a plane with meals? is there any way in which you think it would be possible to cancel meals altogether? These are always one of the most frustrating things for me when I fly.. what did you do about them, if you had them?
Thanks! And I can only hope my travels will go as well as yours!
X Marlies
sorry, just realizing that there is some double text in that comment, after 'plastic bottles on board'.. not sure what happened! hope it still reads ok.. 🙂 (my fault for having taken plastic bottles on board in the first place I guess :-)) hope to be better this time!
Hi Marlies,
Thank you so much for your comment! I LOVE the Plastic-Free Tuesday initiative and have been following it on Instagram 🙂
So getting on board with mason jars, I used the small ones (that are regulation size) for my liquids like shampoo and conditioner. For food, you can use any size, glass is permitted on flights, as long as it isn't filled with a liquid. It worked perfectly. But let me repeat, make sure there isn't liquid in any jar that is larger than regulation size or they will take it away, which is such a bummer, but true. I bought the smallest mason jars for that purpose. On one flight as I was going through security, they actually tested my shampoo to make sure it wasn't a chemical haha, but I was happy about that because I had time to explain to the TSA agent why I package in glass and how I purchase my shampoo in bulk 🙂
I was on a plane with meals and I said right in the beginning that I didn't want a meal and brought my own food. I brought bulk snacks that I packaged in reusable cotton bags and in mason jars. I also drank a lot of water that I had the flight attendants put into my mason jar. They were all really entertained by this and actually loved it! They probably hate using plastic too!!
I hope you have an AMAZING trip! Please let me know how it goes 🙂
Lauren
I'd love to see your packing method.
Next time I travel I will definitely document it! I just got back from a trip to the west coast and could fit almost everything I own in the suitcase! 🙂
Lauren
I am a master packer. I went to Thailand and Japan for a month each with just my carry-on. In Thailand I didn't even use half the stuff I brought. Lol
I know! I just got back from a 3 week trip and only needed about 8 of the 30 or so items I brought. It is cool to learn what I actually wear though!
Lauren
I am late reading this post but this is amazing. I hope to travel soon and wanted to know if you had any pictures.. also how did you pack the glass travel containers?
I just discovered your website about an hour ago and I'm really obsessed ! By reading I'm realizing that my way of life isn't the best for the heart and its humanbeing I love ! I think your website will soon become the only one I will read because it is such a source of inspiration. You seems to be a nice and sooooooooo so so so so so so so smart woman !!!!!! And I hope you enjoyed your trip to Paris where I am from. And, just so you know, my highschool behind the church that is in your selfie ! Hope you enjoyed my quarter, that is called LE MARAIS, because I am very proud of it ahaha !
And I so many questions to answer you !
Do have projetcs in Europe ? Because France really really really needs you on the ecology plan ! AND PLEASE PLEASE HOW DO YOU DO THAT HAVE SUCH GORGEOUS HAIR ?
Des grosses bises from a little parisian teenager who really wants an answer from you (and who speak english very very very very very badly… but I'm learning aha ) xoxo
I alwasy use my resuable water bottle on airplans and most of the time flight attendants have no problem, but once one refused to fill my bottle with water because it was 'unsanitary' even thought I ensured him the bottles didn't need to touch…
Nice Post