Hey earth muffins! Summer is just around the corner which means one thing – time for some vacations! Road trips are one of my favorite ways to take some time off work. 😎 I recently took a short trip to attend a graduation, and it was super fun… Until I tested positive for COVID when I got home. Yupp, after 2+ years and 3 vaccines Mister Corona still got me. I’m (thankfully) all better now and hoping my next road trip doesn’t come with any surprise illnesses. Here are my tips on how to have the best zero waste road trip this summer!
Tip #1: Pick the most eco-friendly car you have access to!
Depending on who/how many people you are traveling with, you might have more than one vehicle to choose from. While things like number of seats and vehicle age are obviously important, make sure to consider each car’s environmental impact as well. Pick the car that is a hybrid or gets the best gas mileage to reduce your emissions on the road. (And this will save you money too with how crazy gas prices are right now.)
Tip #2: Make sure you are driving the most eco-friendly route.
Did you know Google Maps can choose the most eco-friendly route to your destination? It is so easy to turn on this eco Google Maps feature! I love that you can still care about your impact on the planet even when you are taking a road trip. 😊
Tip #3: Pack snacks, meals, and a reusable water bottle!
Making numerous fast food stops along the way creates unnecessary plastic waste. Cut out the trash completely by packing your own food! My family always brings a cooler full of goodies, like the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And, even though you will be in a car all day, it is important to stay hydrated as well. My Hydroflask is an essential on the road – make sure to avoid those plastics and bring your reusable water bottle too!
Tip #4: Be smart about your waste.
Because you are in your own vehicle, you can be smart about any trash you do create on your zero waste road trip. Bring a small grocery bag from home to use as a makeshift trash bag for the drive. If you happened to stop at a fast food restaurant, reuse the bag as your trash bag for the duration of the trip. To make Mother Earth even happier, collect all recyclables to recycle when you get home. You could even do the same for any food waste that can be composted in your compost bin!
Tip #5: Stop as little as possible…
When you are driving the most eco-friendly route, you also want to make the most out of every stop you make. Refill the gas tank and use the bathroom at the same stop; this prevents you from having to keep turning the car on and off unnecessarily.
Tip #6: Make sure your destination is also eco-friendly!
You can’t really deem your drive a “zero waste road trip” if the place you end up isn’t very sustainable… Make sure you pick a place that has lots of eco-friendly things to do! Embrace nature whenever you can and, obviously, continue to live your low waste values even when you are on vacation. 🌎 ❤️
Final Thoughts on a Zero Waste Road Trip
Road trips are a classic part of any summer vacation…. So make sure this year you prioritize a zero waste road trip! Traveling by car is more eco-friendly than by air, but it is important to take even more steps towards a sustainable trip. Pack food, reduce your stops, and pick a destination that aligns with your eco values. Where will you be traveling to this summer? Comment below and let me know your favorite places to road trip!
Love,
Jenna ♥
