Aug 2019: Gulping on the Go
- Kaili Brande
- Aug 15, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 8, 2022
Happy August! I hope that many of you still have a few plans to travel before the summer wraps up! Even if not, these tips will be useful for any time you choose (or are forced) to travel. One of those important things that “everyone says” when boarding an airplane is “don’t forget to stay hydrated”! Most often, I’ll see travelers head straight to the convenience store to buy a water bottle before heading to their gate. But this move inevitably becomes expensive and unsustainable. This becomes a conundrum for us sustainable folks who don’t want to use plastic water bottles. Who wants to pay $4 for a bottle of water, anyways?
There is a simple and easy solution to this problem: bring your own reusable bottle to the airport! While bringing a reusable bottle might seem simple (and second nature to some of us), I find that a lot of my friends forget that the airport is one of those places where you should bring your bottle. Many people bring them to sporting events, parties, or class, but it seems like people completely forget when they take a trip. Why? It may be the fact that security lines at the airport are pretty picky about what you can bring in. However, you are actually completely allowed to bring your water bottle as long as it is empty for the security line.
Afterwards, filling it is simple. Many larger airports these days are starting to feature water bottle refill stations which are fast-filling, sanitary, and modern-looking. The first thing I do after I get through security is to hit the bathroom and fill up my water bottle. Then, I’m ready for adventure!
It really doesn’t make sense that you shouldn’t be able to use your own water bottle for when you travel. You bring your own toothbrush, deodorant, and sunglasses, so why can’t your water bottle just be part of the package you always bring? Just throw it in your carry-on bag (purse, backpack, etc.) and you’re set to go.
Of course, becoming a more sustainable citizen starts with habits. If you have not jumped on the reusable water bottle bandwagon yet, I highly suggest you do so. There are so many companies out there that make water bottles in different sizes, designs, and materials. And once you start to bring it with you to work or class, it will become an easy habit. Not to mention you might start to feel a bit healthier with all that water you’re now drinking. ;) If you are already using a reusable bottle, kudos to us!
A tip to get yourself to use your bottle more often is to get one that has a cute design you really love. That way, it makes you smile when you look at it, and you WANT to show it off (and maybe tell your friends about it, too). ;)
Finally, if you are already bringing your bottle to the airport, you can reach EXPERT LEVEL by also bringing a reusable thermos for any hot/cold drinks you order on the go! That way, you’re prepared to drink water AND snag that favorite Starbucks drink you love to get when travelling. Below, check out my colorful combo of water bottle and thermos that I took with me when traveling in July.
I know that with traveling, sometimes it feels impossible to be sustainable. Everything comes packaged in plastic and sometimes you just don’t have another choice. But if you stay at a hotel, apartment, or house, you can wash your thermos with dish soap or bar soap so you can reuse it for later in the trip. I recognize that sometimes this is also not an option. But if you have your reusable bottle (and maybe thermos!) with you from the start of the trip, you’re at least able to avoid using plastic drink containers on the first day of the trip!
If you need any more motivation, just know you’re not alone. San Francisco International Airport became the first in the country to announce they will no longer allow the sale of plastic water bottles in the airport! Airport visitors will now need to bring their reusable bottle to fill up at refill stations like the one pictured above! The ban of bottles will not apply to flavored beverages, i.e. soda, but at least it will be cutting down a huge stream of plastic waste at the source!
Furthermore, several music icons like Jack Johnson have come together to support the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) campaign which has been working to reduce plastic bottle waste generated by “artists, venues, festivals, and fans”. Having fans come prepared with their own cup or bottle, and already equipping events with water refill stations, will make using a reusable container in public even easier! Check out @byobottle on Instagram to learn more about this campaign. Another refill station company that is trying to expand from Canada into the U.S. is @greenstop.co. While these movements are building, support the movement by refusing single-use bottles every time you travel!
Finally, as a final tip, there is an app called “tap” that helps you find locations where you can fill a reusable bottle! Using your location, it will display a map with restaurants, stores, etc. that allow you to refill your bottle for free! Usually, you just have to let the person at the front counter know that you’re filling your water bottle only (not necessarily shopping).
So what do you say, should we create a traveling reusable water bottle brigade? Let’s do it! All of the above also applies to road tripping, train-taking, bus-riding, etc., so try to incorporate REUSE whenever you can. :) Comment below with any unique ways that YOU make traveling more sustainable!
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