Practical ways to reduce plastic waste on your Asia holiday
Plastic waste, microplastics, and the damage it’s causing to the environment, has been all over the news for many years now.
It’s fantastic that this issue is finally getting the attention it needs, and more people and businesses are taking matters into their own hands and making the effort to reduce their plastic waste, but sadly the majority still goes to landfill or into the ocean. Once there it poses a major hazard to marine life, and eventually ends up in our own food cycle, so there’s a way to go yet in solving this problem.
When travelling in Asia, here’s what we’re doing – and what you can do – to help…
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Why is reducing single-use plastics so important when travelling in Asia?
However diligently we ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ at home, plastic in Asia can pose more of a challenge. The tap water can’t always be trusted, so it’s unsurprising that many travellers choose bottled water. Much of the region’s famous street-food is served in plastic bags and containers. Add in the prevalence of miniature hotel toiletries, and the fact many Asian countries lack the facilities to recycle effectively (in some island nations especially) and you can see how travel-related plastic waste can lead to dramatic problems.
We’ve seen the problems for ourselves in Asia, and we believe it’s vital that everyone involved in the travel industry, from providers to guests, takes the initiative in reducing their plastic waste.
What is Selective Asia doing to reduce plastic waste in Asia?
Since 2017, we have been introducing our clients to our One Bottle at a Time scheme.
This project involves working with our local partners to develop a system whereby clients can refill their water bottles at key hotels, and from portable water canisters in the vehicles we use. It’s one heck of an undertaking, and is easier in some countries than others, but we’re certain it’s the right thing to do, and put it in place wherever we can. We hope that you’ll join us in our mission to reduce plastic bottle usage on our Asia tours.
Other ways to cut your own plastic usage when travelling
- Pack a couple of lightweight foldable bags to take with you. They can be used for everything from shopping to carrying wet towels, and can usually be washed, so will potentially last you for years.
- Say ‘no thanks’ to plastic straws, stirrers, cups and bags wherever possible. These are some of the most harmful disposables that find their way into the environment, and are ubiquitous in restaurants, cafes and bars around the world.
- If you do take a fancy to the hotel toiletries, you can leave empty bottles out to be refilled – there’s no need to put them in the bin. If you bring your own, consider taking empties home for correct recycling, or use your own refillable mini-bottles.
- Look for responsible accommodation and providers that have a policy of trying to reduce their plastic waste. Make sure you tell them one of your reasons for booking with them was because of that policy, as it will encourage them to stick with it.
- Use a reusable bottle. Hey, we know where you can get one – and for a discount, too! And if you can’t do without your morning cup of joe, then a reusable coffee cup is also handy to take. The vast majority of takeaway coffee cups can’t be recycled yet, and just imagine how many of them are bought and discarded every day.
- You can make a difference even before you arrive in your destination. Bring your own snacks to the airport with you (we love EcoSnackWraps for protecting our picnic food) so you don’t need to buy plastic-tastic (not to mention pricey!) food at the airport after going through security. You can also pack your own headphones to avoid using the plastic-wrapped ones provided by the airline.
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