Despite your best efforts to reduce your plastic usage in your everyday life, hopping on a plane can mean being handed a large number of plastic-wrapped items as soon as you’ve taken your seat. Although many airlines are now doing their bit and serving food in paper and cardboard packaging, and serving up reusable cutlery, there are a number of ways travellers can contribute too. By taking your own water bottle, headphones, and even something to keep you warm onboard long-haul flights, you can keep from collecting further plastic and reduce the demand for more.

What’s the hurry? If you’re on holiday, take advantage of the time you have to spare and dine in rather than opting to take away. If you’re all about the fresh market and street foods, bring containers along. It may feel odd when you first ask a vendor to fill your own lunchbox, but you’re saving the cart owner from using their packaging, and you’ll have a sturdier container too. Win win! If you have checked luggage, you can consider packing your own cutlery (a reusable bamboo fork will do the trick). There are plenty of travel sets available online – and, you can be assured you’re never getting unwashed cutlery while traversing abroad.

It might be obvious to some, but keeping a checklist of plastic-free items to pack can do a world of good. Packing your own water bottle and a reusable coffee cup is an easy way to start (and are so often forgotten). When it comes to toiletries, invest in reusable containers (you can buy eco-friendly varieties from eco-friendly stores, such as Biome), so that you’re using the same containers each trip rather than going through dozens of hotel minis. If you’re travelling domestically, consider packing your usual-sized cosmetics and toiletries. You can also buy shampoos and body washes in bars (from stores like Lush), that can be wrapped in paper or kept in tins. Many companies are now producing plastic-free toothbrushes and cases, and even glass-bottled, plastic-free floss too.

Whether you’re wandering through the bustling markets of Bangkok, trawling vintage stores in Paris or picking up your favourite sweets to take home, it pays to keep tote bags on hand so you can avoid accumulating plastic bags. And, if you’re not shopping, a simple canvas bag can double-up as a laundry bag or packing cubes. And, at the very best, you can ditch the souvenirs and instead take photos, rather than adding to the pile and filling your suitcase further.

No matter how virtuous your intentions, you can end up with a bag full of ticket stubs, programs, flyers and snack wrappers in your bag while travelling. Where possible, go digital – download information, or make any screen grabs you need before leaving the WiFi. If you’re picking up snacks for your days spent adventuring, opt for the least packaged items you can find (think bananas or other fruits that haven’t been covered in plastic wrap!). Again, put those containers to use. And, if buying drinks, be sure to say no to plastic straws.

All around the world, many popular travel destinations are banning plastics from coming into their country, while some are banning plastic bags and other single-use items. Be sure to check out the rules in your destination of choice, and pack accordingly to avoid offending or copping fines.