SAY NO TO ONBOARD PLASTICS! A GUIDE TO:
ZERO WASTE AIR TRAVELLING
“Make your air traveling free of plastic waste with these simple tips. “
If you get on a flight, chances are you use a lot of plastic things—from cup, cans to meal packaging. Once they are used, they end up at garbage bin. So what’s the big deal in that? Did you know that an average airline passenger generates nearly half a kilogram of waste per flight? Now multiply that by 200-300 passengers on a typical flight. It means that a typical flight produces an awful lot of plastic rubbish. Just imagine how much plastic waste is produced if USA has over 5,000 passenger planes in the skies on any given day. And only 20 percent is recycled out of 75 percent onboard recyclable waste. EVEN WORSE, airlines are bound by quarantine regulations, which prevent the recycling of cabin waste from many international flights. The lack of logistics of providing recycling collection facilities at airport also makes the concern bigger. Then, plastics are lighter and ideal for logistics than most reusable items, thereby being preferred by airlines to save fuel. It simply means that airlines can do very little in managing the waste at their end. But that doesn’t mean plastic waste on the flights is unavoidable. As a passenger, you can play a vital role in minimizing the onboard plastic waste. Here’s how…
Use Your Own Water Bottle:
It is a great way to ditch single-use plastic bottles, which make up the major part of the plastic waste. Customs allows you an empty water bottle through the screening. You can fill up the bottle later at water bottle refilling stations available at most airports. And yes, you can board the plane with a full bottle of water. A steward won’t deny your request to refill the bottle on the plane.
Bring Your Reusable Utensils:
Carry a little set of reusable utensils in your backpack to avoid disposables on the flight. The set can be comprised of a knife, fork, spoon, chopsticks and glass drinking straws.
Take Your Own Food and Snacks Onto Plane:
In-flight food and drinks are wrapped up in a lot of plastic packaging. Besides, they are expensive and contain chemicals seeping from their plastic wrap.
Why not bring your own snacks and food necessities? Luckily, most flights allow you bring your own food. All you need to pack the food in reusable containers, which are also useful for restaurant leftovers and take-out food. A homemade food will taste better and be more nutritious than food and drinks on board.
Travel Pillow
Airline travel pillows are made of plastic and are sent to the bin at the end of each flight, for sanitary reasons. And these pillows are sealed in a plastic packaging. Therefore, you should bring your own travel pillow to avoid such wastage.
Keep Your Personal Care Products in Reusable Containers:
Similarly, bring your own toiletries instead of buying travel size shampoo, conditioner, lotion and toothpaste. Use a reusable container to carry your personal care products. Besides, avoid purchasing duty free products as they come with excessive packaging like sealed plastic bag for security purposes. Even the glass bottles are packed with foam nets, which are made from plastic. Here is a solution—buy it from a local store and pack it in your backpack. It is also much cheaper than the soaring airport prices. Make sure to check the customs restrictions regarding your purchase.
With the help of abovementioned tips, you can fly plastic free as possible which minimizes the onboard waste. Besides, you should educate your near and dear ones to avoid plastic while travelling.
Do you have any unique tip for making air travelling plastic free? Please share it with us @ regmorhay@gmail.com