Technologies

Zero Waste Travel: The Ultimate Plastic-Free Packing List

How to pack smarter and lighter when traveling the planet.

Travel comes at a cost and it isn’t just fiscal. Every flight leaves a footprint — a carbon footprint. Many people are aware of the carbon footprint created by air travel but you might not be aware of another travel consequence: plastic use and waste. Every year, millions of single-use travel-sized bottles, disposable utensils, plastic-wrapped snacks and shrink-wrapped souvenirs end up in landfills or oceans.

There’s no exact figure detailing plastic use during travel but travelers contribute significantly to plastic consumption, especially through bottled water and other single-use items. According to Adventure.com, 139 million metric tons of single-use plastic were produced in 2021, an increase of 6 million metric tons, or almost 5%, from 2019. The widespread use of disposable products, particularly plastic bottles, plays a major role in the amount of waste created during travel.

For sustainability-minded travelers, one of the easiest and most impactful changes starts before the trip even begins and that’s during the packing process.

Traveling with zero waste, whether by airplane or on a road trip, requires forethought and planning but it’s possible to significantly reduce your environmental impact. This guide breaks down practical, low-waste strategies to help minimize plastic use without sacrificing convenience while exploring the world and knocking out your bucket list.

For more travel tips, learn about the best way to pack a carry-on and the best time to book flights for the cheapest tickets.

BYO containers

Traveling with your own food and drink essentials is a simple yet impactful way to reduce waste while staying prepared. A collapsible, BPA-free water bottle from brands like HydraPak or Que Bottle offers a space-saving solution for staying hydrated without relying on single-use plastic. Bringing a compact travel utensil kit made from bamboo or stainless steel means you’ll always have cutlery on hand, making it easy to skip disposable forks and knives when dining on the move.

For snacks and leftovers, reusable silicone bags or beeswax wraps provide a washable, eco-friendly alternative to plastic baggies. And whether you’re grabbing coffee from a café or brewing tea in your hotel room, a compact travel mug or tumbler lets you enjoy your beverage without the waste that typically comes with takeout cups.

You might read these suggestions and think it’s just too inconvenient to be worth it. I totally get it — it’s so easy to justify grabbing a plastic bottle or cutlery at the airport when you’re tired, rushing or just forgot to pack your reusable items. But if you travel often, those little decisions really add up. A collapsible or lightweight bottle or small dinnerware set that lives in your luggage can make it way easier to stick with the habit.

Go solid, not single-use

When packing toiletries, choosing solid alternatives over single-use plastics can make a meaningful difference. Instead of relying on travel-sized bottles, consider shampoo and conditioner bars from eco-conscious brands like Ethique or HiBAR. These compact, spill-proof bars eliminate the need for liquid soap and come free of plastic packaging. If you need to bring liquids, choose refillable silicone travel bottles that can be used again and again.

For oral care, toothpaste from companies like Bite and Hello offer a fresh, TSA-compliant option that comes in recyclable or compostable containers. For dental floss, seek out compostable options like those from Dental Lace, which are packaged in refillable glass containers designed with function and the environment in mind.

Shaving also can be made more sustainable by switching to a stainless steel safety razor or a refillable razor system, reducing waste and long-term costs.

Conserve water and reduce plastic by packing smarter

Choosing the right clothing and laundry essentials can significantly reduce your environmental footprint while keeping your travel routine simple and efficient. Fabrics like merino wool and other high-performance materials are naturally odor-resistant and quick-drying, meaning they stay fresh longer and require less frequent washing. This not only lightens your laundry load but also conserves water and minimizes detergent runoff into local ecosystems.

When it’s time to do laundry, skip the bulky plastic detergent bottles and pack lightweight, plastic-free alternatives such as laundry sheets or natural soap nuts, which can be stored in a small reusable pouch.

Instead of relying on disposable hotel laundry bags, bring a reusable cloth bag for your worn clothes. This is an easy swap that keeps single-use plastic out of the waste stream.

Tech and accessories for a lighter footprint

Traveling sustainably extends beyond toiletries and clothing — it includes the tech and accessories we rely on every day. Investing in a durable solar charger or a reliable power bank not only keeps your devices powered but also eliminates the need to purchase low-quality chargers or disposable batteries on the fly.

For your phone, consider switching to a compostable case made from plant-based materials. Brands like Pela offer options that combine protection with environmental responsibility. To keep your cords and cables organized, skip the plastic zip bags and choose cloth organizers made from canvas or felt, which offer a more sustainable solution.

Eco-conscious packing from the inside out

Your choice of luggage and packing gear can make a big impact on traveling more sustainably. Choose suitcases or backpacks crafted from recycled plastics or organic materials, with brands like Paravel and Patagonia leading the way in durable options that prioritize the planet.

To keep your belongings organized, packing cubes made from recycled fabrics offer an efficient, plastic-free way to maximize space in your suitcase. And, instead of a traditional vinyl zip pouch for your toiletries, consider a clear-paneled bag made from washable materials like PEVA or silicone.

These small choices, taken together, help ensure your packing is as thoughtful as the journey itself.

Bonus tip: Offset your carbon footprint

Carbon offsetting is the process of compensating for the CO2 or other greenhouse gas emissions you produce in your daily life like when you drive, fly or use electricity. You can do so by participating in activities that reduce or remove an equivalent amount of emissions, including tree planting, conservation or contributing to other renewable energy projects.

Some airlines offer carbon offset programs or you can use third-party platforms like Cool Effect, Carbonfund.org and MyClimate to offset your travel emissions. If you’re road-tripping, calculate your fuel use and offset accordingly. Look for reputable organizations that are certified Gold Standard, Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) or Climate Action Reserve when researching offset providers.

It’s also best practice to look for hotels or Airbnb hosts that prioritize sustainability. Specifically, reusable toiletry dispensers, energy-efficient appliances and composting or recycling programs are all good signs.

You don’t have to overhaul your packing routine overnight but each plastic-free swap is a small, tangible and impactful step toward traveling more consciously. With just a few simple adjustments, your suitcase can become a tool for sustainability, not just convenience, and your trip can become an eco-friendly tour.

Read more: Can AI Help Me Travel More Sustainably? I Put It to the Test

Technologies

Level Up Your Pokemon Legends: Z-A Adventure With These Active Free Gifts

Get ready for a new adventure. These free mystery gift codes and rewards are available for you to grab today.

After 12 years, it’s finally time for Pokemon players to head back to the Kalos region in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the newest game in the popular monster-catching franchise. If you’ve missed the worldwide capital of Mega Pokemon, fairy-type Pokemon and a whole bunch of baked bread, now’s the time to jump back into the world of pocket monsters.

The Switch 2’s first Pokemon game seems a bit scarier this time around. Though the beautiful Lumiose City projects safety and security, recent unexplained rampages from wild Mega Pokemon threaten the peace.

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Between unearthing the cause of this phenomenon and taking down competitors in the Z-A Royale Pokemon battle ladder, there’s a lot of work to do in the Kalos region. You’ll need special partners to get the job done — and there are some special Mystery Gifts that have just the powerful pals you’re looking for.

There are already multiple Mystery Gift codes you can use right now in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, unlocking rare Pokemon and tons of items to help you get started on a new Pokemon journey.

All active Mystery Gifts for Pokemon Legends: Z-A

While some Pokemon Legends: Z-A promo codes are uniquely tied to Nintendo purchases, we’ve gathered every free code and redemption requirement in one place for you here.

Below is a chart that contains every active Mystery Gift code for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, what it unlocks and its expiration date:

Active Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mystery Gifts

Reward	Code or alternative redemption requirements	Expiration date
Ralts holding Gardevoirite	No associated code. Select «Get via internet» in the Mystery Gift menu.	Feb. 28, 2026
100x Poke Balls	Every code is unique. You can unlock the code for this Mystery Gift by purchasing the digital version of Pokemon Legends: Z-A. The code will be sent to the email associated with your Nintendo account.	March 10, 2026
3x Fast Balls, 3x Lure Balls, 3x Heavy Balls, 3x Level Balls	Every code is unique. You can unlock the code for this Mystery Gift by purchasing the Mega Dimension DLC. The code will be sent to the email associated with your Nintendo account.	March 10, 2026

How to redeem Mystery Gifts in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

If you have Mystery Gift codes to redeem in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, you’re likely eager to grab those rewards as soon as possible. But you need to do a little bit of legwork before unlocking the code redemption menu.

To unlock Mystery Gift functionality, you need to progress through the main story until you reach the third main mission, called A New Life in Lumiose City.

During this mission, you’ll meet Mable, the acting director of the Pokemon Research Lab in Kalos. Once you unlock Mable’s research, a new «Link Play» tab becomes accessible in the pause menu.

Within the Link Play tab, you can redeem Mystery Gift codes — as long as you’re connected to the internet.

What are Mystery Gifts?

Mystery Gifts are a long-running way to reward Pokemon players with extra goodies. The official gift distributions have existed since Pokemon Gold and Silver was released in 1999.

Back then, players needed to have special hardware — like a Game Boy Advance Wireless Adaptor — in order to acquire Mystery Gifts. Newer games make the process much easier, since you need only connect to Wi-Fi in order to access gifts for the Pokemon games on the Nintendo Switch.

While some Mystery Gifts are accessible for free, others are unlocked by promo codes that you’ll have to hunt down through specific means. Mystery Gifts are good ways to gather precious items, add mythical Pokemon to the Pokedex and capture rare shiny Pokemon.

Technologies

Will Tim Cook Step Down? Apple CEO’s Impending 65th Birthday Sparks Succession Talk

Apple is likely in the process of choosing someone to fill the chief executive role once Tim Cook decides to retire. Here are a few potential candidates that reports say are being considered.

Tim Cook‘s 65th birthday is next week, on Nov. 1. And with the Apple CEO’s special day almost here, talks have been growing as to who could be his successor should he choose to retire. Cook has made no official public mention of stepping down yet, but according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the tech giant is working behind the scenes to ensure a seamless transition when the time comes.

Cook replaced Steve Jobs in 2011, and after a period of uncertainty, Cook ushered Apple into its most profitable era. Stock-watching website Stocktwits reports that the company’s stock has increased by around 1,800% since Cook took over leading the company.

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Jobs may have introduced devices like the iPhone into everyday use that changed how we interact with technology, but Cook expanded on the Apple experience. Under his guidance, the company built upon Apple’s smartphone by introducing subscription services and more mobile products, including earbuds and wearables.

He introduced Apple Pay, Beats headphones became part of the company’s ecosystem, the Apple Watch launched 10 years ago, and Apple even entered the entertainment business, producing original Oscar-winning movies and Emmy-winning TV shows through Apple TV Plus.

Read more: Best iPhone in 2025: Here’s Which Apple Phone You Should Buy

We should reiterate that the notion of Cook stepping down is pure speculation at this point. We don’t know what Apple’s CEO is currently planning or what his thoughts about retirement may be. That said, there are a handful of contenders who have reportedly been part of the succession conversation.

Potential Apple CEO contenders

Apple likely has «a solid bench of successors» that the company’s board has been developing, says Bryan Ma, VP of Devices Research at IDC.

«But the anxiety gets amplified when there isn’t clear visibility for such a valuable and iconic company,» Ma says. «Compounding the challenge is the fact that the bar has been set by big rock stars like Steve Jobs and Tim Cook. The next generation of leaders have very big shoes to fill.»

John Ternus, Apple’s current vice president of Hardware Engineering, was top of Gurman’s list. Ternus has been with the tech giant for more than two decades, so he has the knowledge and experience for a chief executive upgrade. There would be value in having an engineer behind the wheel.

Ternus appeared during the September Apple event to introduce the iPhone Air. At 50, he’s the same age Cook was when he took over as Apple CEO.

Other potential contenders are also being considered, including Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering; Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing; and Jeff Williams, the company’s former chief operating officer, according to a report by Apple Insider. On Oct. 10, Bloomberg reported that Federighi also will soon be overseeing the Apple Watch operating system watchOS, while Ternus will be overseeing Apple Watch hardware engineering once Williams departs at the end of the year.

Federighi has been with Apple for a long time and has the public speaking experience — frequently speaking during Apple Events — that would be vital if he replaced Cook as CEO. Considering his current role, Joswiak has a more marketing perspective and a broader overview of the company and may not be as hands-on with the tech as Ternus and Federighi. And according to Gurman, Williams was viewed as a shoo-in to be Cook’s replacement until his role as COO was announced to be ending. (He’s now Apple’s senior vice president of design, watch and health.) Cook held the position of chief operating officer before he replaced Jobs as CEO in 2011. Sabih Khan will be stepping into that COO role, which also puts his name in the running.

When Cook steps down, Apple will undoubtedly have a pool of qualified talent to choose from to take up the leadership mantle. Who exactly will take the mantle remains to be seen.

Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Technologies

Meta Will Close Down Its Messenger Apps on Mac and Windows

You’ve got two more months until the apps are gone.

Meta is discontinuing its desktop Messenger apps for Windows and Mac. Starting Dec. 15, you’ll need to head to Facebook to continue chatting through the app on your computer.

Once the sundowning process begins, you’ll receive an in-app notification. You’ll have a 60-day window to continue using Messenger before the app is permanently shut down. (But don’t worry — the mobile app for Messenger will remain.)

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If you want to save your chat history, Meta suggests activating secure storage before the app is gone forever. Otherwise, your chat history will be gone forever, as well.

The Messenger desktop app is no longer available on the Apple App Store. After Dec. 15, Meta users who try to access Messenger on desktop will be redirected to Facebook.com. Users without a Facebook account will be redirected to Messenger.com.