BY LAURA YOCHUM

As you head to the coast for some cool day-tripping (or longer) you can have maximum fun with minimal plastic waste. Here are some ways to start reducing it, whether you’re gone for a day, a week or a few hours. The goal is to create new habits: Take one step at a time in your journey into zero-waste living and traveling. The more you practice reducing your waste and remember to ask for alternatives, the easier it becomes. Reducing your waste footprint can also be a reminder to slow down and enjoy the latte in a real cup at the local café with your family. As a bonus, you will have created a new memory and be leaving zero waste behind.

Bring glass jars and a small cooler on car trips for your restaurant LEFTOVERS. For train or plane travel, consider ordering smaller meals so you don’t have leftovers, or share a meal with a family member or friend.

Did you know those mini plastic bottles at hotels are too small to be recycled and that partially used bottles left at hotels get thrown away? Plan ahead and pack your own SELFCARE ITEMS when you travel. If you can’t BYO, ask the hotel for bar soap or use the hotel’s liquids and take the open bottles to your next destination.

BRING TRAVEL UTENSILS, METAL STRAWS AND CLOTH NAPKINS. If you’re ordering takeout, tell the restaurant you don’t need plastic utensils. If youwind up with them anyway, just use, wash and use again.

Stop in your store’s bulk section to stock up on package-free HEALTHY SNACKS like trail mix, nuts, chocolate and more. I bring small cloth bags to my Sprouts Farmers Market where sta will weigh my filled bags at checkout.

Pack a REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE and refill it at every stop. Carry aTRAVEL MUG for co ee or tea, and ask baristas to fill it instead of their single-use cup.

Bring home your COMPOSTABLE TRASH, like apple cores, whenever possible.