Reducing waste in Sicily travel
Sicily’s natural beauty — from pristine beaches to volcanic landscapes — depends on travelers who respect and protect it. By reducing waste during your trip, you help preserve the island’s fragile ecosystems and support communities striving toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
- Visit Sicily
- 3 min read
Reducing Waste While Traveling in Sicily — Simple Actions, Lasting Impact
🌿 Overview
Sicily’s environment faces challenges from plastic pollution and over-tourism, especially in summer. Fortunately, small conscious choices by travelers can make a big difference. Reducing single-use plastics, recycling properly, and supporting sustainable businesses all contribute to a cleaner island and a greener travel experience.
♻️ 1. Avoid Single-Use Plastics
- Carry a reusable water bottle — tap water across most of Sicily is safe to drink.
- Refill bottles at public fountains (fontane pubbliche) or ask cafés to refill.
- Bring your own metal straw, cutlery, and cloth napkin for meals on the go.
- Refuse plastic bags and takeaway cups; many shops and markets welcome reusable options.
Tip: Some eco-conscious cafés in Palermo, Catania, and Taormina offer discounts for customers using reusable cups.
🛍️ 2. Shop Smart and Plastic-Free
- Buy from local markets instead of supermarkets — food is fresher and packaging minimal.
- Choose items wrapped in paper or glass, not plastic.
- Bring reusable fabric bags or baskets to markets and bakeries.
- Support zero-waste stores, especially in larger cities like Palermo (Eco Sfuso) and Catania (Negozio Leggero).
🧴 3. Use Eco-Friendly Toiletries and Cleaning Products
- Switch to solid shampoo bars, soap bars, and bamboo toothbrushes before your trip.
- Pack biodegradable sunscreen — crucial for protecting marine life, especially near marine reserves like Zingaro and Vendicari.
- Avoid wet wipes, which often contain plastic fibers.
Bonus: Many eco-hotels provide refillable dispensers instead of disposable bottles.
🚮 4. Recycle Correctly in Sicily
- Sicily practices differentiated waste collection (raccolta differenziata), which varies by municipality.
- Common categories:
- Carta (Paper) 🟦
- Plastica e Lattine (Plastic & Cans) 🟨
- Organico (Organic waste) 🟫
- Vetro (Glass) 🟩
- Indifferenziato (Non-recyclable) 🗑️
- When renting an apartment or Airbnb, ask your host for local recycling rules.
- Never leave trash in nature — fines apply in protected areas.
🚴 5. Reduce Transport Waste and Emissions
- Walk, cycle, or use public transport whenever possible.
- Carpool or rent electric vehicles for longer trips.
- Combine errands and excursions to minimize fuel use.
- Use digital tickets instead of printed ones for ferries, trains, and attractions.
Eco-tip: Sicily’s rail lines (like Palermo–Catania and Catania–Taormina) offer scenic, low-emission travel options.
🍽️ 6. Cut Down Food Waste
- Order realistic portions — Sicilian servings are generous!
- Share dishes when dining out or take leftovers home (porta via).
- Choose restaurants that source local, seasonal food — it’s fresher and more sustainable.
- At markets, buy only what you’ll use to avoid spoilage.
🏖️ 7. Leave No Trace in Nature
- When hiking or visiting beaches, take all rubbish with you, including biodegradable items.
- Don’t leave cigarette butts, tissues, or fruit peels on trails.
- Join local clean-up events — often organized by NGOs like Marevivo or Plastic Free Sicilia.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life when swimming.
🧳 8. Pack Light and Sustainable
- Choose versatile, durable clothing over fast fashion.
- Pack a cloth bag, refillable bottle, and travel-sized containers.
- Bring rechargeable batteries for cameras and headlamps.
- Reuse and repair travel gear rather than replacing it.
💡 9. Support Low-Waste Businesses
- Book tours and accommodations with environmental certifications or eco-policies.
- Support restaurants using compostable packaging and sourcing locally.
- Stay in eco-hotels that compost, recycle, and minimize energy use.
🧭 Summary
Reducing waste while traveling in Sicily isn’t about doing everything perfectly — it’s about being mindful. Each refill, reusable cup, or local market purchase helps keep beaches cleaner, villages greener, and Sicily’s beauty intact for generations to come. Traveling light and sustainably means leaving the island better than you found it — one small action at a time.