Let's Talk Water

Several years ago, I traveled to Costa Rica and visited Corcovado National Park. I was shocked to see a row of plastic water bottles about 2 feet high that had washed ashore and stacked up along the tree line. This row of water bottles reached as far as I could see. I pledged at that point that I would do my part to avoid using disposable plastic water bottles. Of course, that is easier said than done, but here are a few things I do to minimize my use of plastics when traveling. First, I carry a wide mouthed water bottle, such as the one pictured, that is easy to fill. When in European restaurants, they don't usually give you water for free, but thankfully they use reusable glass bottles. If I have to purchase a bottle of water, I'll order the large and then empty any leftover into my bottle. If I'm in a country where you have to buy water to bring to your hotel, I will go to a market and purchase a large container that will provide water for the length of my stay. It's better to use one large plastic container than twenty small ones. At the airport, I fill up at a water station and during the flight I ask the flight attendant to fill my bottle rather than give me a plastic cup. They won't fill a small holed bottle, but will generally fill this one. When at a hotel, I search out water dispensers in the lobby or gym. They don't always have them, but often they do. Even if they offer me a free water bottle, I try not to use it if there is a water dispenser. Any opportunity to fill up my bottle, I take. On a recent trip to Europe, I counted the times I was offered two free water bottles per night at various hotels. It added up to 42 bottles of water. I only used a couple of them, so I saved the planet from 40 of them! If everyone could do that, our oceans would be better for it. I hope you will try to do your part too.