Okay, so packing only reusables for my latest trip – holy crap, what a ride. I’m sprawled in my tiny Brooklyn apartment right now, city noise sneaking through my window, and I’m still smelling that burnt coffee from my scratched-up reusable mug this morning. I decided to ditch the disposable junk ‘cause, like, I’m so done feeling like a jerk with a trash can full of plastic wrappers after every trip. It all started when I was scrolling eco-tips at 2 a.m. – you know, that half-asleep moment where you’re like, I’m gonna save the planet? So I thought, screw it, let’s try packing only reusables for my quick LA jaunt last week. Sounded dope, but, uh, it got messy fast.
Why I Decided to Try Packing Only Reusables
I ain’t no eco-saint, trust me – I still chuck pizza boxes in the regular trash sometimes and feel like trash myself. But here in the US, with wildfires burning up the West and news about plastic choking the oceans, it’s hard not to feel guilty. Last trip, I was unpacking, and my floor looked like a landfill with tiny shampoo bottles and chip bags. I was like, nah, this is trash turning into more trash. So I went all-in on packing only reusables: zero single-use plastics, baby. Felt like I was sticking it to the system, but then packing hit me like a ton of bricks. Who knew going reusable would make me rethink every damn thing in my bag?
My Reusable Packing List: The Good, Bad, and Straight-Up Embarrassing
Here’s the deal – I made a list, but it turned into this chaotic mess of reusables. Like:
- Reusable water bottle: My beat-up Hydro Flask, scratched to hell from an Adirondacks hike, but it keeps water ice-cold.
- Cloth tote bags: They fold up small, but one’s got this nasty stain from leaky strawberries I carried home – so embarassing, but reusables ain’t always pretty.
- Bamboo utensils and metal straw: Stuffed in a pouch, but I bent the straw cramming it in like a dummy.
- Solid shampoo bar: Smells like lavender, but it clashed with my deodorant, so my bathroom smelled like a flower shop fight.
I thought this’d cut my waste big time, and I read on Treehugger that reusables while traveling can seriously shrink your carbon footprint. But, real talk, I messed up by sneaking a plastic bag in my suitcase “just in case.” Felt like a total fraud when I tossed it without using it.
Packing Only Reusables: Airport Chaos and Flight Fails
So, I’m at JFK, the air all pretzels and jet fuel – classic airport vibes. I’m dragging my suitcase stuffed with reusables, feeling like an eco-queen until security. My silicone toiletry bag with the shampoo bar leaked, leaving my hands all soapy and smelling like a lavender explosion. Then, on the plane, turbulence hits, and I grab my reusable coffee cup for a sip… big oops. Coffee everywhere, soaking my jeans – so mortifing, with the dude next to me snickering. Like, why didn’t I check the lid? At least it wasn’t a throwaway cup piling up in a landfill. Lesson: double-check your reusable seals, or you’re wearing your drink. I saw on The Good Trade that portable water filters are clutch for safe sips abroad, which might’ve stopped me from caving and buying a bottled water once – yeah, I screwed up, don’t judge.
The Unexpected Wins of Packing Only Reusables
Despite the disasters, there were some wins. In LA, at this cute beachside cafe, I pulled out my cloth napkin instead of grabbing paper ones – felt like a boss, and the server was like, “Yo, that’s dope.” Packing only reusables made me pack lighter, just essentials, so no checked bag fees – score! Plus, it’s legit better for the planet, cutting single-use junk and emissions, according to National Geographic. But, okay, I gotta admit, I missed the ease of grab-and-go disposables during a crazy layover. Pro tip from my screw-ups: pack extra small reusables like bags, ‘cause one tear and you’re toast.
What I Learned from My Messy Packing Only Reusables Attempt
Real talk: packing only reusables wasn’t all sunshine. There were moments I was like, ugh, just grab a plastic fork and call it a day – but I held strong, mostly. The learning curve was rough; I used laundry detergent pods, then realized, wait, those aren’t reusable, are they? Total rookie move. Weirdly, my skin loved the natural shampoo bar, no harsh chemicals. Living in the US, where we’re all about tossing stuff out, it felt like rebellion. I found some sweet sustainable packing tips on Going Zero Waste that sparked ideas. Oh, and embarrassing story: I used a hotel towel as a beach mat in LA, but it got so sandy and gross, I had to wash it like three times back home.
Final Vibes on Packing Only Reusables… Or Maybe Not?
Would I try packing only reusables again? Hell yeah, but smarter – like, maybe get a legit reusable kit and organize better. I’m not perfect, it’s not perfect, but it slashed my trash pile and made me think hard about what I use. But, real quick, I’ll fess up: on long trips, I sometimes crave the ease of disposables, then feel guilty as hell. If you’re sprawled on your couch reading this, give packing only reusables a shot next trip. Check out this zero-waste travel kit guide on EcoWatch for more inspo.
So, wrapping this up like we’re chatting over coffee – try packing only reusables, spill your own dumb stories or wins in the comments. What’s your fave reusable item? Holler at me!
