Reducing your plastic waste when travelling by caravan

Ahh, travelling and holidaying in a well-equipped caravan - it’s all about the freedom, the fresh air and the beauty of nature, isn’t it. But with this comes a need for shopping supplies, good storage and no doubt packaging galore - often with a lack of bins around to house the waste! If you don’t think about it in advance, you can find yourself surrounded by plastic bottles, wrappers and plastic bags that not only help to clutter your space but also harm the very landscapes you’re out to enjoy.

There’s good news, though, so don’t fear. With a few simple swaps and some mindful habits, it is possible to reduce your plastic use and waste while travelling, which is surely better for all concerned - the planet included…

Why plastic-free travel matters

Caravanning takes us to some of the UK’s most stunning beaches, lakesides and places in the countryside. Sadly, these are also the locations where discarded plastics can cause the most damage. From wildlife mistaking plastic for food, to microplastics entering into the soil and water, every bit of waste has an impact. If we can choose to cut back on single-use plastic whenever possible, this is then a way of giving back to the places we love visiting. 

So, here’s some reusable, single-use swaps you can make for starters…

One of the easiest ways to reduce your plastic waste is to replace the usual throwaway items with some durable, reusable ones that can be washed or cleaned and then used over and over again. Here’s some ideas:

Collapsible silicone food containers and reusable silicone zip-up bags

These save space in your cupboards and also keep your leftovers fresh.

Glass jars

These are a great swap for plastic, but make sure they are stored correctly as you don’t want one breaking when you open up a cupboard and it falls out.

Stainless steel food tubs

Stackable ones are good, with secure lids. These can also help keep your food that little bit colder for longer, if you are taking items out for the day with you, straight from the fridge.

Refillable water bottles and coffee cups

These days it’s so easy to avoid the endless stream of single-use bottles and cups. Treat yourself to a nice-looking one, and you’re more likely to use it…

Beeswax wraps or silicone lids 

These are perfect for covering food without the need for clingfilm…

Reusable shopping bags

If you get a lightweight, foldable cloth one, it’s so easy to carry around. And - bonus - they are often far sturdier than plastic bags which can break at the drop of a hat.

Not only do all of these reduce waste, they also mean fewer shopping trips for you, as once you’ve bought them they should last. Winner winner!

Shop smart on the road

When you’re out shopping, a simple first step is to consider the packaging of the item you are buying (food or otherwise) before you purchase it. The more minimal it is, and the more recyclable and sustainable, the better. We’re obviously trying to reduce our consumption of plastic here, so often cardboard is a better option to have to dispose of, particularly from food packaging.

Shops and supermarkets may tempt you with pre-packaged convenience, but it’s often the worst culprit for plastic. Instead, you could try to visit farmers’ markets and farm shops for loose produce, taking your own containers like we mentioned above. You could also seek out refill shops in the towns you visit for dry goods like pasta, rice and cereals. Where possible, choose glass jars or paper bags when you need kitchen staples. 

The added bonus of some of these options is that you’ll often discover some local specialities that the supermarkets might not stock…

A plastic-free kitchen

Cooking in a caravan kitchen is all about clever storage (and the clever use of space) and reducing your use of plastic helps here too. Store food in stackable or collapsable glass, silicone or stainless steel containers, as we said. It’s likely that the more meals you make from scratch, the less packaging you may find yourself with - especially when it comes to ready meals. If you use eco-friendly, concentrated cleaning products in refillable, bulk containers and then decant into a spray bottle (or just one product that covers all your cleaning needs - even better!) you can cut down on plastic and also save some cupboard space.

In the bathroom

A lot of single-use plastics tend to sneak into our bathrooms and wash bags too. Some easy swaps here include:

- Solid shampoo, conditioner and soap bars – no bottles, no leaks - bonus!

- Bamboo toothbrushes – these tend to be long-lasting and also biodegradable.

- Reusable makeup remover pads – these need washing and drying, obviously, but they are kinder on the environment.

- Refillable pump bottles – if you prefer liquids, you could buy in bulk and decant into small travel bottles. You can also get refillable pouches that store flat when not in use.

Take a plastic-free meal kit on the road

Eating on the go is often where plastic can sneak in, so you could keep a small kit ready in your caravan or bag that includes:

-  A stainless steel water flask

-  A reusable coffee cup

That way, when you grab fish and chips at the beach, or a coffee at a service station, you’re not reliant on throwaway packaging.

So what are the overall benefits of all this?

Well, cutting down on the plastic we bring into our life on the road isn’t just about being eco-friendly, it’s about practicality too. If you have fewer single-use bottles, cups and packaging, you’ll create less rubbish to have to both store and then dispose of. You’ll keep your caravan tidier and less cluttered, and you should save a bit of money in the long run by reusing rather than re-buying. You’ll be travelling lighter, and also be feeling better knowing that you’re protecting the very places you’re exploring.

And what about if you can’t eliminate plastic entirely? Well, this is life, so don’t be hard on yourself. Just try to reuse it where possible. In fact, this gives you the opportunity to be inventive - that ice-cream tub can now become a herb plant pot!

Essentially, reducing the plastic you use on the road doesn’t mean giving up any comfort or convenience - it’s about making some small, thoughtful swaps that make your life simpler and more sustainable.