Ditch Single-Use Plastics: How Student Travellers Can Make a Daily Impact
One of the simplest, most powerful ways to make student travel more sustainable? Say no to single-use plastics.
From water bottles and snack wrappers to hotel toiletries and utensils, plastic waste is one of the most visible - and avoidable - footprints we leave behind while traveling. At Evolve Tours, we believe that sustainability starts with small, intentional actions, and ditching disposables is one of the most accessible changes a student can make.
Why It Matters: The Global Impact of Travel Waste
The average traveler generates over 2 pounds of waste per day. Multiply that across a group of 30 students, and the waste from a 10-day trip adds up quickly.
Plastic straws, wrappers, water bottles, and cutlery often end up in landfills—or worse, local waterways and ecosystems. That’s why many of Evolve’s partner communities and eco-friendly accommodations discourage or ban single-use plastics altogether.
This isn’t just a policy - it’s a learning opportunity.
What to Pack Instead
Encourage students to build a sustainable travel kit that includes:
- Reusable water bottle (metal or BPA-free plastic)
- Collapsible or bamboo utensils
- Cloth tote bag for shopping or carrying snacks
- Travel-size containers for refillable toiletries
Many Evolve Tours destinations offer filtered water access, so there’s no excuse for grabbing a plastic bottle on the go.
Evolve Tours Tip: We can provide destination-specific tips for what to pack sustainably and where students can refill or recharge along the way.
Make It Fun: Pre-Trip Bottle Decorating Challenge
Get students excited and engaged by hosting a “design your own bottle” send-off activity before the trip. Give students stickers, markers, or paint pens and have them personalize their reusable bottle. Not only does it foster creativity - it creates a sense of ownership and accountability for using it.
You can even turn it into a zero-waste competition during the trip:
- Who found the most creative way to reuse or reduce?
- How many plastic items did you avoid today?
Teaching Sustainability Through Everyday Action
When students are mindful of their daily consumption, they learn lessons that last far beyond the trip itself:
- Awareness of their footprint
- Understanding the global impact of local choices
- How sustainability ties into culture, economy, and community health
Plus, students love a tangible challenge - especially when it makes them feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves.
Where This Works Best
Many of Evolve’s destinations are perfectly suited for this kind of intentional, plastic-free travel:
- Costa Rica – A national leader in banning single-use plastics
- Tahiti & Moorea – Island ecosystems that showcase the fragility of marine life
- Scandinavia – Where zero-waste is becoming the norm, not the exception
Sustainability in Action, Not Just in Theory
At Evolve Tours, we help teachers and trip leaders integrate these values into every aspect of the travel experience - from packing and pre-trip education to in-destination challenges and post-trip reflection.
Sustainability isn’t an add-on - it’s built into the journey.
📞 Let’s Start Planning
Email: info@evolvetours.com
Phone: 1-888-222-5066
Website: www.evolvetours.com
