One of the greatest challenges of living zero waste is not producing waste when you are traveling or even just out grabbing coffee. It’s easier to control the waste in your own home, but once you leave the house, you’ll want to be prepared. Let’s talk through some of the key tips for putting together a zero waste system with a simple to-go kit that works for you.
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A lot of the items you’ll want to keep in your zero waste to-go kit you might already own. If not, make the investment in reusable products that will help your achieve zero waste—I’ll be recommending some that you’ll find useful.
Here’s what you will most likely need to have as part of your zero waste to-go system:
- Reusable bag for dry goodies you might come across (I use Simple Ecology organic cotton bags—the same ones I take bulk food shopping).
- Reusable eating utensil(s) – I just take a plain old fork and spoon with me in my Simple Ecology bag. You could also use a camping spork/some kind of camping utensil that folds up.
- Cloth napkin – I always keep an organic cloth napkin on me. This can have so many uses—wiping your hands if a public restroom only has paper towels, wrapping the odd baked good in, using when you eat, etc. I own a bunch, and simply throw them in with my regular wash.
- Reusable mug – For obvious reasons, like coffee and tea. Try to buy a quality brand that will last a very long time, such as a stainless steel Klean Kanteen mug or a glass option.
- Reusable straws – Personally, I never use straws, but if you do, bring along a reusable stainless steel
or bamboo option
.
- Stainless steel container – Quality steel containers like these
are great for leftovers when you’re going out to eat and want to avoid those gross Styrofoam containers.
or 
.
are great for leftovers when you’re going out to eat and want to avoid those gross Styrofoam containers.Some of these things you can keep in your car or just bring when you think you will need them to keep your purse or bag lighter. For example, I don’t always keep a mug on me because it can be a bit wieldy to carry around every time I leave the house, but I will bring it in my car if I’m traveling. Same goes for the stainless steel container—If I’m going out to eat, I’ll take my larger purse and remember to bring my container along for leftovers.
Another tip: Figure out what works for you. For example, I always keep my lightweight zero waste items in both of the purses I use so that I don’t have to think about it when I leave the house—they’re just always in there. My mug and stainless steel container I’ll keep in my car (I work from home so I don’t eat outside my house very often during the week). You could also keep all of your zero waste kit items in one bag right by the door to make it easy to grab whenever you leave.
Hope this short list inspires you to create your own unique way of being prepared to avoid creating waste when you’re away from home! Let me know in the comments if I left out anything that you bring in your zero waste to-go kit.
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