Plastic… It just might be the worst invention Sustainable wise, and luckily many people across the world come to realize that little by little. We once made it and now we’re drowing in it. “There are 500 times more pieces of microplastic in the sea than there are stars in our galaxy and by 2050 it is estimated there will be more plastic than fish” ~ Ian Johnston: Environment Correspondent in an article for the Independent. It’s time to reduce it and the good news is; sustainable tourism practices can start small and still have a huge effect.
Invest in a reusable water bottle
It's no secret; plastic water bottles are downright awful for the environment. They aren't biodegradable, and although many of them claim to be recyclable, most plastic bottles end up in landfill which is where they stay for hundreds, if not thousands of years. We suggest investing in a reusable water bottle so you always have it handy. There are several brands that have great looking bottles and even bottles that can hold ice cold water, like the Curacao themed D-TAP by D-Bottle. Ideal for traveling to warm places like Curacao!
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Upcycle old containers
How many times have you got a takeaway or finished a pot and thought "hey, these containers could come in handy one day"? Well, we have good news... hanging onto containers like these can assist in your quest to be eco-friendlier on holiday! That old hair mask pot is perfect for your new shampoo bar. That old foundation bottle could be used to decant after sun moisturizer into. You could use an old tic tac box to transport your hair slides. Get creative - the possibilities are endless. And they can end up pretty “Pinterest-ish” too.
Carry a reusable (shopping) bag with you
According to Earth Policy Institute, humans use over 2 million plastic bags every minute, every day. Avoid adding more to your collection by taking a reusable (shopping) bag with you wherever you go. These bags won't take up any extra room in your luggage, but can definitely help you do your part to reduce the number of plastic bags flowing into our oceans or even worse, end up in animals stomachs. Even better is using one big bag that you can use for multiple purposes; Hand luggage, beach bag and shopping bag.
Ask for fresh food and drinks
A lot of beverages come in plastic bottles. Avoid these by asking the waiter or waitress if they have any freshly squeezed juice or tap water that is safe for drinking (Curacao tap water is safe to drink). You can use your reusable bottle to have it filled up. Fancy an ice cream? Opt for a cone instead of a pre-packaged option. Visiting a farmer's market? Bring your reusable bag. You'll be avoiding plastic and the fresh fruit will keep for longer instead of going slimey! And when ordering an ice cold beverage, skip the plastic straws (Avila only uses paper straws).
Raise Awareness
Remember the five Rs: refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, raise awareness. Talking to your friends, travel companions, kids and colleagues about avoiding single use plastic is one of the best and easiest things you can do for the planet. Letting your inner circle know that there is no such thing as ”away” when we throw anything away. It must go somewhere, always.
Less plastic is Fantastic!
