Reduce your plastic impact on holiday
2 minute read
This summer, we’ve joined forces with Thomas Cook to encourage holidaymakers to reduce, reuse, and recycle their inflatables.
The impact of inflatables
Most of us will have fond memories of floating on an inflatable lilo, a donut, or maybe even a unicorn. Once it’s time to pack up and head home, our inflatables should come with us – but a surprising number are abandoned at the beach. According to a survey conducted by Thomas Cook, over half of holiday makers (53%) will throw away their inflatable this year. That's a huge addition to the ever-growing burden of plastic pollution.
Avoiding inflatables all together is the best way to reduce this form of plastic waste—but if you can’t imagine a trip to the beach without one, make sure you keep the three Rs in mind: reduce, reuse, recycle. By following these principles, you’re helping your own pocket and protecting precious marine species.
Below, we’ve outlined some tips to help you reduce the plastic on your next holiday. You can also download our free, comprehensive guide to reducing your plastic footprint when you get back.
How to have a plastic-free holiday
Avoid mini toiletries
Mini versions of your normal toiletries can seem convenient for travelling, but you can save money and reduce plastic waste by buying reusable containers. Fill them with your everyday toiletries and take these on holiday to reduce waste.
Pack essential reusables
Packing for a holiday can be stressful – but taking extra time to prepare can save you money and reduce waste in the long run. Next time you’re stuffing clothes into a suitcase, don’t forget to add reusable essentials - in addition to a lilo puncture repair outfit - to the pile. A reusable water bottle, coffee cup, and shopping bag are a great place to start.
Choose souvenirs and gifts carefully
No matter how thoughtful, lots of souvenirs and gifts end up getting thrown away. When choosing souvenirs, think about how much use you or the recipient are likely to get out of the item. Opting for non-plastic materials which can be reused time and time again is a good idea. Sometimes, the photos from your trip are enough of a souvenir!
Credit: Natasha Ewins
Some beaches also have ‘toy libraries’, where buckets and spades can be borrowed for the day. Other times, charity shops local to the coast might have toys you can purchase second-hand, reducing the amount of plastic waste generated by your trip.
Give back to the beach
If you love spending time on the beach, doing your own mini beach clean can be a fun and easy way to give back. Some cafes even offer a free ice cream if you help clean the beach, so look out for cafes taking part! Alternatively, take part in one of our beach cleans in the UK. You’ll be helping to support our work and doing something amazing for marine life.
Give plastic bottled water the boot
When you’re travelling somewhere unfamiliar, bottled water can seem like the safest best – but before you shell out, check local advice. In many popular holiday destinations, the tap water is completely safe to drink. If you do need to buy water from the shops, see if you can find glass bottles or cans – and make sure you recycle them, or take them to a Deposit Return Scheme collection point if the area has one.