Do you want to avoid waste on airplanes and fly as plastic-free as possible in the future? Then you've come to the right place! Unfortunately, aviation not only produces climate-damaging greenhouse gases, but also a lot of waste. To be precise, about 1.4 kilograms per passenger. Including mainly plastic and paper.
However, anyone who flies on vacation from time to time knows, even without these statistics, that striving for a zero-waste flight can be a real challenge.
In this article, I would therefore like to give you the best tips for flying as waste-free as possible, which you can implement directly on your next flight. Let's go!
Notice: The focus here is on avoiding waste. However, I have also written a separate article for you about basically sustainable flying written.
Reasons: Why avoid plastic waste on airplanes?
Disposable packaging, plastic cutlery, drinking cups, food waste and Disposable hygiene articles make air travel a real waste producer. And yet there are some pretty good and motivating reasons to do without plastic above the clouds.
Here are a few motifs that drive me. I try to avoid garbage on airplanes because I...
- wants to protect the environment. On the plane, vast quantities of natural resources is wasted. The waste is often simply dumped and ends up as Plastic waste in the environment. If you want to discover the planet by plane, you should also protect it.
- wants to be a positive role model. Every conscious decision to avoid waste sends an inspiring message for sustainable consumption. Others copy you.
- it can be implemented relatively easily. Avoiding waste on an airplane may sound like a mammoth task, but in my experience it turns out to be a feasible challenge.
13 tips: How does zero waste work on an airplane?
Motivated? Then let's take a look at how plastic-free flying can be put into practice. Whether long-haul or short-haul, vacation or business trip: As you'll soon see, good preparation is the key. Because even on the ground you will find sensible plastic-free alternatives to save a lot of Avoid plastic waste.
Here are my best tips!
1. pack your water bottle
To prevent waste from plastic bottles, I always have a Stainless steel drinking bottle* with it. It should of course still be empty at the checkpoint. But afterwards you can still use it at the gate. Refill with tap water.
When you ask the stewardesses and stewards in a friendly mannerthey will also fill your bottle on the plane.
2. take food with you in your lunch box
Mainly due to Food packaging large amounts of waste are produced on the plane. So why not simply take a few snacks with you? This stainless steel lunch box* for example, is ideal for this.
As a rule, this will also get you through airport security without any problems and have a delicious meal and - let's be honest - no "airplane food" from the shrink-wrapped plastic trays, half of which is often left over and wasted.
3. don't forget your wooden cutlery
Not only disposable packaging, but also Forks, spoons, knives, straws and stirrers made of plastic fill the garbage cans on the plane.
A valuable zero waste tip is at this point, such a travel cutlery set* from home. As long as the Cutlery made of wood and not metal you will usually get through the inspection.
Alternatively, you can also use the airplane ask for stainless steel cutlery or it with this versatile spork* (fork, spoon and knife at the same time).
4. have cloth towels with you
Napkins, cleaning cloths and handkerchiefs are also the most common waste generated during air travel. Cloth wipes, on the other hand, are Washable, lightweight, compact and versatile - whether for blowing out, cleaning your hands or protecting fragile objects.
For your zero-waste flight, I can definitely recommend these classic cloths*, these cloth handkerchiefs* and these cloth napkins* to the heart.
5. take a cup with you
Whether at the airport or on the plane, whether for Coffee, tea or water: With a classic ceramic cup or such reusable cups* you avoid waste through plastic and CoffeeToGo cups, symbols of our Disposable society.
When they are empty, you can take them through the inspection and, for example refilled by the cabin crew on the plane. For me it is a good addition to the drinking bottle.
6. switch to solid shampoo and shower gel
Countless plastic bottles of liquid shampoos and shower gels end up in the garbage can at the airport checkpoint for security reasons. Instead, it is better to use lightweight and space-saving and Plastic-free, solid alternatives.
This shampoo in one piece* and this solid shower gel* I can recommend it for waste-free air travel. In addition, there are also such tin cans* useful.
7. transfer liquid cosmetics into small containers
You are allowed in your hand luggage according to the Federal Police basically so many 100-milliliter vials take with you, like in a such reusable zip bags* with a capacity of one liter.
To prevent new purchases and packaging waste at the security checkpoint, you can therefore Existing liquid care products simply fill up before your flight. This will also save you some space in your hand luggage.
Additional Tip: Label the bottles so that you don't mix up your cosmetics.
8. take a pillow and blanket with you if necessary
Especially on long-haul flights, airlines provide their passengers with Pillows or blankets wrapped in plastic ready. Even though they may be washed and reused, you can save yourself the waste.
For example, by changing your Own neck pillow and pack your own blanket. However, you may also be able to get by on the plane if you simply dress warmer and more comfortable.
-
Bottle brush16 € -
Large stainless steel drinking bottle25 € -
Oilcloths13 €
9. avoid paperwork through technology
Digitalization makes plastic-free flying much easier. To avoid waste and unnecessary weight, however, you should use your E-reader* and above all your Smartphone do not forget. Boarding passes can be shown to you digitally via the airline's app. Alternatively, you can also have it sent to you as a PDF by email.
Also Directions, hotel confirmations, documents and other things that used to be printed out before flights can now be printed out by Screenshots or digital notes quite simply. Save papermade easy!
10. pack the wooden toothbrush
On some long-haul flights with stopovers, my longing for a toothbrush was huge. Especially when it came to hours of delays came.
My recommendation: If you are stuck at the airport, you should always such a wooden toothbrush* in hand luggage as plastic-free Alternative to the disposable toothbrush from the airport store.
11. don't forget the toothbrush tablets
The toothbrush is on board, but what about the toothpaste? One Tube doesn't just make garbageyou are also not allowed to take them with you in your hand luggage - such solid toothpaste tablets* And they can basically be used in the same way as traditional toothpaste.
12. bring your own headphones
On airplanes, you usually get headphones wrapped in plastic to use the entertainment media. Once torn open, they usually end up in the garbage can after landing.
So just pack your own headphones in your hand luggage or trouser pocket. And if they are not compatible with the connection on the airplane, you can always previously downloaded podcasts or albums by your favorite artists listen.
13. inform airlines about your wish
Customer-friendly airlines are generally open to change. That's why you should contact the person responsible before, during or after the flightthat as a passenger you would welcome less plastic waste and how this could be implemented in practice, for example with snacks and drinks.
The more people do this, the sooner an airline will start to develop and implement strategies for waste and resource efficiency. So you are also actively contributing to Waste avoidance in aviation and make plastic-free flying even easier in the future.
Zero waste on the plane, made easy!
Nobody has to implement Zero Waste perfectly! It may not always be possible to avoid all waste at the airport and on the plane. But with the simple tips in this article, you can definitely reduce your personal waste significantly, help your Zero Waste Lifestyle also remain true to our philosophy when traveling by air.
"Be the change you want to see in this world.“
Mahatma Gandhi, Indian lawyer and pacifist (1869-1948)
Do you have any questions, further tips or your own experiences with garbage on airplanes? Then simply write me a message below this article.
Stay clean,
PS: In the article sustainable travel there are plenty more ideas to make not only your flight but also your next vacation trip more environmentally friendly. Have fun implementing them!
