11 Sustainable Travel Practices in India You Can Follow

6. Reduce single-use plastic and manage waste

Single-use plastic is a major issue across travel destinations, and India has several places with strict plastic rules. Carry a cloth shopping bag, a reusable bottle, and folding cutlery to avoid disposable items. In many towns — including river islands like Majuli and Meghalaya’s eco-village areas — local rules limit single-use plastics, and visitors who follow them are welcomed. Bring small, travel-sized refillable toiletry containers and buy soap bars instead of bottled liquids. If you encounter areas without waste collection, pack out what you pack in and leave no trace. Learn local disposal customs; some places separate organic and non-organic waste. If you buy packaged goods, try to choose items with recyclable packaging or buy fresh produce instead. The small effort of carrying a few reusable items lowers plastic waste and models respectful behaviour for fellow travelers.