One of the things I’m consciously working on is trying to reduce my impact in my everyday life. I realize some of my hobbies and interests are most likely not sustainable (i.e. traveling and record collecting) but I know I can do my best to reduce the amount of single-use plastic I use on a day-to-day basis.
Some of my most used items, and there’s many more not pictured or mentioned
While some of the items I use for everyday are a little different, for my most recent road trip, these were the items I brought with me.
This 64 oz Manna Hydration Growler that is only halfway covered in stickers, as well as bamboo charcoal filters (not pictured). 64 ounces seems a little excessive to be walking around with, but I did keep this in the hotel room and used this to refill my glass. Refilling the growler itself was easy as well with the charcoal filters, just wait an hour for the charcoal to work before drinking.
My everyday straw and my cocktail straw, from the Package Free Shop. I use the longer straw with my 49ers Tervis cup for work and everyday, and just ask if they can put my drink in that instead. While not every place allows this, I do try to at least use my own straw.
Bamboo utensils (also came with chopsticks, not pictured) also from Package Free Shop. I have to say, it was a lot easier to refuse plastic utensils than it was for the plastic straws; only because they would still put a straw in my drink even after I asked for no straws.
16 oz coffee cup. Yes, it’s plastic, but this is a lot longer lasting than a single-use cup. I do have many other travel mugs, but this was the one I brought with me on the last road trip.
Shopping bag. I brought two other ones with me, but I got the most use out of this one just because of its size, as well as that it folds down into its own bag for storage.
Even if some of my activities aren’t exactly sustainable, there are some things I can do to reduce the waste that is produced when traveling or going out.
What are some things you do to reduce your impact?