How to travel plastic free

I started to reduce waste mainly plastic as much as possible when I was still at home in Vienna. I managed to swap single use items for reusable ones and I hardly bought any new plastic items. I promised myself to do my best to keep this up while traveling.  Here is what I have with me:

Reusable Waterbottle

The most important item in everyday life. In some countries it is easy because you can drink tap water but also in other countries it has never been a problem for me to find a place where I can refill my bottle. Almost all Hotels/Hostel/Camping areas I have been to provide a free water fill stations. Also most public places like airports or shopping centers provide free water. There is also an app called Freewa where you can search for free drinking water near you. Also check out there website. 

Especially for traveling I looked for a very stable and long-lasting bottle which I found at Klean Kanteen.

Coffeecup

Very important item for coffee addicts like me. I like to make my own coffee with my Bialetti, also with me while traveling. Tasty, fast and so worth the space it takes up in my Backpack. Most Hostels/Hotels have free coffee you can fill into your cup. Also Coffeeshops, Starbucks and other coffee chains offer to fill the coffee into your own cup. You even get a discount in many places for not using to-go cups. One of the best coffee cups I found: AllEco

Reusable Straw

They make the drinking ensemble complete. I really enjoy drinking out of straws especially if there are ice cubes in my drink. It takes up almost no space to take them with you and they come with a cleaning brush for the inside. I bought them at Walmart. Just now I am drinking with mine out of a fresh coconut. Plasticfree Straws.

Different Boxes for Food Storage

This is something you can always use. Maybe you don’t finish your meal or you get a coconut freshly cut on the street. It is easy to have the boxes in the car and quickly get them if needed. On this journey I have one big box and two smaller ones. Further I carry in my daily backpack a silicone bag. It needs less space than the box and is bendable but still can fit a lot and is completely leak proof. Silicon Bags

Cutlery 

I have with me a set of spoon, fork and knife. I got mine in a camping store. It is made of metal and came with a handy little bag in which I carry it around with me. Also the set pretty cheap and it is way better to eat with than weak, breakable one-way plastic. Here is a similar set.

Soap for Hair and Body

I usually have my hair soap from Lush. They have a huge selection of soaps for all kind of needs and the ingredients are natural and environment friendly. It works perfectly and I feel like the soap last way longer than shampoo bottles. In Guatemala I found the brand Tierra & Lava where I bought new soap since mine is almost empty. My second soap is for the body. I got it from a small handcrafts market. 

Toothbrush and Toothpaste

My toothbrush is made out of Bamboo and so is the box it is in. I change my brush ever one/two months so I recently had to buy a new one. After some research I found a store in México where I could get a new one. Instead of toothpaste I use either tooth powder or tooth tabs. The powder I use comes in a glass jar which is fine to travel as it is more solid than I thought. The tooth tabs are from Lush but they are in a (recyclable) plastic box. My toothbrush from ecopura.

Dental Floss

My Floss comes in a really cute small glass tube and it is made from 100% silk, beeswax and natural mint flavor. The tube is reusable and you just have to buy the floss ball and refill it into the tube. I recently found a store with refill balls in Antigua. Also if you buy chewing gum make sure that is biodegradable. Chinchilla Floss

Bamboo Razor

No more plastic razors! The razor I use is made out of metal and bamboo. The blades are replaced every now and then. Even though the razor seems to be quite big and heavy it works perfectly and it is totally save. In fact I have never cut myself with the reusable one. Here is a similar Razor

Cotton Swabs

Platic free cotton swabs are quite popular and easy to get in normal stores. Yet it seems impossible to get them with plastic free packaging. In Vienna I had one brand without plastic but while traveling I could only get it packed in plastic which is frustrating. 

Deodorant

My favorite brand for plastic free deodorant is Ben & Anna which is available at dm in Austria. The ingredients are all natural, aluminium free, vegan and cruelty free. In America I got a similar product at Wholefoods and even in Guatemala I was able to find plasticfree deos. 

Menstrual cup

Easy to use once you get used to it and reducing a lot of plastic. A lot of people have a lot of opinions on this product but the best way to find out if you like it is to simple try it yourself. Plus it comes in a bag to always carry it with you. Mine is from OrganiCup. How to use a Menstrual Cup

Skincare

On my face I don't use any products. I simply wash it with water after waking up and before bed. Already a few months ago I stopped using skincare products and my skin has never been better ever since. Only if my skin is sunburnt or really dry I use natural shea butter. For removing make up I use a small microfibre towel.