Little steps toward flying green
Airline food: plastic invasion!
I just flew across two hemispheres. Although I took a trip five months ago, it hit me harder this time: eating airplane food is awful both for your taste buds and the environment.
But is flying green (-ish) not possible?
Sure, flying green is still an oxymoron, unfortunately. But can’t we take little steps to lessen our impact?
I say we can!
I humbly present you with my budding ideas:
1) Bring your own utensils. No, wait, the security people won’t let us. Okay: if you’re adventurous enough, bring hand sanitizer and eat with your hands. Honestly, I love eating with my hands. Not only pizza, empanadas, sandwiches, and so on, but also…just everything. Not that I ever really get to do it [without being stared at] except in Ethiopian restaurants and at home, but it’s a start! Another alternative could be to bring your own plastic utensils. Better than nothing, no?
2) Skip the Styrofoam and bring an aluminum bottle for cold drinks and/or an insulated one for hot drinks.
3) This one’s easy: don’t use paper towels to dry your hands. I always shake the water off unless I have a towel (which in public bathrooms would be gross). Or use your clothes as a towel. Best option: skip using water and towels altogether by using hand sanitizer. That stuff is magic. Love it.
4) This one is a pain in the behind, but consider bringing your own food from home in some Tupperware. You won’t be generating waste by tearing apart plastic wrappings and so forth.
What am I missing?
Let’s make flying green (-ish) a priority!
Hey Nat,
Great post!
Between the US and Australia I’ve successfully carried on the Light My Fire Spork and the GreenFeet Bamboo Spork. I keep one in my purse even when I’m not traveling.
http://lightmyfireusa.com/spork.html
http://www.greenfeet.com/itemdesc.asp?kw=Bamboo-Reusable-Spork&ic=6010-00648-0000&eq=
I like to encourage people to purchase locally produced aluminum bottles, or in the US the original, Klean Kanteen, which uses minimal amounts of paint in its original design and never ever produced bottles with BPA (like Sigg). I’ve had my two Klean Kanteens for almost 6 years.
http://www.kleankanteen.com/
I love to pack my own foods when I travel. On the return destination back home, I’ve purchased my food and produce in local shops and bakeries, which supports local industry and gives me the last chance to savor the local flavors. I also recommend bringing your own tea bags.
Cheers!
Twitter: ecodestinations
says:
Hey there!
Thank you so much!
That’s some very useful info, thank you. I was not aware that Sigg’s bottles are tainted with BPA! Holy bejezeus! I will be sure to spread the word.
You are the apotheosis of a responsible traveler. Excellent. Great inspiration for us all :)
Namaste!