Travelers from developed countries are used to turning on the tap to get clean drinking water. However, there are many countries around the world where the water that comes out of the taps is undrinkable (potable). While water may be readily available for washing or bathing, drinking it can cause serious illness. The most common alternative in countries where the water is not safe to drink is cheap and readily available bottled water. Unfortunately, the number of plastic water bottles used generates a large amount of waste and is a common source of pollution. Although some bottles are recycled, many end up slowly in landfills or are incinerated which can give off toxic fumes. Here are four ways you can reduce your impact on the environment and avoid plastic bottles the next time you travel:
1. Refill your bottles: In some countries, bottles can be refilled with purified water. Not only does this reduce the number of plastic bottles you use but it can be much cheaper. Your hotel or local taxi driver should be able to point you in the right direction.
2. Boil water instead of buying it. Boiling water is the safest way to make it safe to drink because it kills all common waterborne pathogens. If you have facilities to boil water while traveling, you can reduce your need for bottles. Make sure to boil the water vigorously for one minute and allow it to cool to room temperature. A pinch of salt per liter will improve the taste.
3. Choose a hotel with a water filtration system: Larger hotels often install their own filtration or desalination system, which makes the water from the hotel taps safe to drink. If you are staying at one of these places, ask if the hotel’s water is safe to drink and what they are doing to reduce the use of plastic bottles. Some inns have large water coolers from which guests can refill their bottles.
4. Carry your own water filter: There are now a range of portable filters on the market that can be easily taken with you when you travel. These come in a range of sizes depending on your needs and are great for people who intend to go off the beaten path where potable water may not be available at all.
So next time you’re traveling, check out these great options for getting safe drinking water without using plastic bottles. If you end up buying water in plastic bottles, make sure to separate it from your other trash. Some bottles can be recycled and people in parts of Thailand and China are making extra money by taking bottles to recycling companies. The least you can do is make it easier by separating bottles from other waste.
