Luggage on Regional Trains Question
#21
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well old knickers have been recycled throughout Europe since the 1750s and they continue to be so to this day. If throwing them away please put them in a recyling container which you will find in many large bins around most towns. If you put them in your hotel room they get burnt or landfilled (mainly burnt as landfill is full in most of western Europe)
#22
My goodness Christina, you do seem to have some interesting ideas about travel wardrobes:
"I will not travel with only one pair of shoes, for example, which I've seen some people say they do"
I travel with 2 or 3 pair of shoes depending on the type of trip.
"And I go out to events where I would not feel comfortable dressing real casually meaning not pants, etc. I'm not talking cocktail dresses and heels or anything, . . ."
I have gone to every sort of event -- including full on formal and including a Royal Variety Performance wearing long white gloves. I attend the theater and opera and don't 'dress down' when I do. I also take hiking/walking clothes -- all in that same little bag
" . . . dressier shoes than walking shoes or sneakers. But sturdy enough you can traverse a city partly wsalking, metro etc"
See above - I take walking shoes and dressy shoes
" I would never just throw out toiletries because I only take a very small amt to begin with and put them in small travel tubes or whatever, and then I reuse them. I don't buy travel size toiletries (except for deodorant, no way around that, but one of those small travel size stick deodorants lasts several weeks. "
Jeeze Louise - I don't throw out the containers nor typically buy travel sizes of toiletries (except I do sometimes use travel sized deodorant). I use up or discard the contents and take the containers home to re-use. I even have a little gadget that allows me to transfer toothpaste from a big tube into a little travel sized version.
"I would never just throw out underwear because I'm too lazy to wash it, either. That's rather disgusting to me in one way as you are leaving soiled underpants for the room cleaner to have to deal with? ugh"
I don't toss out underwear . . . Undies are the smallest part of a wardrobe - even IF one did toss them out it wouldn't gain you much space.
"I will not travel with only one pair of shoes, for example, which I've seen some people say they do"
I travel with 2 or 3 pair of shoes depending on the type of trip.
"And I go out to events where I would not feel comfortable dressing real casually meaning not pants, etc. I'm not talking cocktail dresses and heels or anything, . . ."
I have gone to every sort of event -- including full on formal and including a Royal Variety Performance wearing long white gloves. I attend the theater and opera and don't 'dress down' when I do. I also take hiking/walking clothes -- all in that same little bag
" . . . dressier shoes than walking shoes or sneakers. But sturdy enough you can traverse a city partly wsalking, metro etc"
See above - I take walking shoes and dressy shoes
" I would never just throw out toiletries because I only take a very small amt to begin with and put them in small travel tubes or whatever, and then I reuse them. I don't buy travel size toiletries (except for deodorant, no way around that, but one of those small travel size stick deodorants lasts several weeks. "
Jeeze Louise - I don't throw out the containers nor typically buy travel sizes of toiletries (except I do sometimes use travel sized deodorant). I use up or discard the contents and take the containers home to re-use. I even have a little gadget that allows me to transfer toothpaste from a big tube into a little travel sized version.
"I would never just throw out underwear because I'm too lazy to wash it, either. That's rather disgusting to me in one way as you are leaving soiled underpants for the room cleaner to have to deal with? ugh"
I don't toss out underwear . . . Undies are the smallest part of a wardrobe - even IF one did toss them out it wouldn't gain you much space.
#23
Join Date: Dec 2006
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My goodness Christina, you do seem to have some interesting ideas about travel wardrobes:
"I will not travel with only one pair of shoes, for example, which I've seen some people say they do"
I travel with 2 or 3 pair of shoes depending on the type of trip.
"And I go out to events where I would not feel comfortable dressing real casually meaning not pants, etc. I'm not talking cocktail dresses and heels or anything, . . ."
I have gone to every sort of event -- including full on formal and including a Royal Variety Performance wearing long white gloves. I attend the theater and opera and don't 'dress down' when I do. I also take hiking/walking clothes -- all in that same little bag
" . . . dressier shoes than walking shoes or sneakers. But sturdy enough you can traverse a city partly wsalking, metro etc"
See above - I take walking shoes and dressy shoes
" I would never just throw out toiletries because I only take a very small amt to begin with and put them in small travel tubes or whatever, and then I reuse them. I don't buy travel size toiletries (except for deodorant, no way around that, but one of those small travel size stick deodorants lasts several weeks. "
Jeeze Louise - I don't throw out the containers nor typically buy travel sizes of toiletries (except I do sometimes use travel sized deodorant). I use up or discard the contents and take the containers home to re-use. I even have a little gadget that allows me to transfer toothpaste from a big tube into a little travel sized version.
"I would never just throw out underwear because I'm too lazy to wash it, either. That's rather disgusting to me in one way as you are leaving soiled underpants for the room cleaner to have to deal with? ugh"
I don't toss out underwear . . . Undies are the smallest part of a wardrobe - even IF one did toss them out it wouldn't gain you much space.
"I will not travel with only one pair of shoes, for example, which I've seen some people say they do"
I travel with 2 or 3 pair of shoes depending on the type of trip.
"And I go out to events where I would not feel comfortable dressing real casually meaning not pants, etc. I'm not talking cocktail dresses and heels or anything, . . ."
I have gone to every sort of event -- including full on formal and including a Royal Variety Performance wearing long white gloves. I attend the theater and opera and don't 'dress down' when I do. I also take hiking/walking clothes -- all in that same little bag
" . . . dressier shoes than walking shoes or sneakers. But sturdy enough you can traverse a city partly wsalking, metro etc"
See above - I take walking shoes and dressy shoes
" I would never just throw out toiletries because I only take a very small amt to begin with and put them in small travel tubes or whatever, and then I reuse them. I don't buy travel size toiletries (except for deodorant, no way around that, but one of those small travel size stick deodorants lasts several weeks. "
Jeeze Louise - I don't throw out the containers nor typically buy travel sizes of toiletries (except I do sometimes use travel sized deodorant). I use up or discard the contents and take the containers home to re-use. I even have a little gadget that allows me to transfer toothpaste from a big tube into a little travel sized version.
"I would never just throw out underwear because I'm too lazy to wash it, either. That's rather disgusting to me in one way as you are leaving soiled underpants for the room cleaner to have to deal with? ugh"
I don't toss out underwear . . . Undies are the smallest part of a wardrobe - even IF one did toss them out it wouldn't gain you much space.
#24
**well old knickers have been recycled throughout Europe since the 1750s and they continue to be so to this day. If throwing them away please put them in a recyling container which you will find in many large bins around most towns**
Not allowed in the US. You can donate old clothes to places like Goodwill in the US, but not underwear.Home recycling bins where I live are for glass/plastic/paper/cardboard. I've never seen a bin marked "underwear recycle" in Europe.I see ones marked for food waste, plastic, etc. I haven't seen ones marked clothing. How do you find them?
Not allowed in the US. You can donate old clothes to places like Goodwill in the US, but not underwear.Home recycling bins where I live are for glass/plastic/paper/cardboard. I've never seen a bin marked "underwear recycle" in Europe.I see ones marked for food waste, plastic, etc. I haven't seen ones marked clothing. How do you find them?
#25
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Some of our packing cubes (the better ones) are from Kathmandu, which is our local camping and travel store. They are a little on the pricier side for many things but I think the quality and the sizes available are very good, better than others we have bought.
Janisj, where did you find such an interesting object? And can you still get them?
Lavandula
Lavandula
#26
#27
Underwear recycling: you will not find clothing recycling bins (because there is no difference between underwear or "wear" in recycling terms) in airports or railway stations etc. You will find them where the general population goes, such as supermarkets, in road junctions in the 'burbs and at recycling centres. They are normally part of recycling hubs along with bottle, paper, plastic recycling containers. Over the years we have found them everywhere, but then on a bicycle you go everywhere. In the UK I just recycled clothing at a Supermarket in the past week.
The idea that in the USA that recycling underwear is illegal seems very odd. But hey, every country is different.
It is worth researching the word "shoddy" as that is one of the terms used for recycled material (there are others which cover whole material types).
Marking of the containers: strangely I don't think there is a international symbol for this. I've seen a T shirt cartoon and the word for clothing in the local language on the outside of them.
The process (yes I really am this nerdy and Mrs Bilbo worked on the edge of this industry) is to sort, wash, shred and then rework into useful material.
Since I was most recently in the Netherlands on holiday https://www.expatica.com/nl/living/h...rlands-133948/
The idea that in the USA that recycling underwear is illegal seems very odd. But hey, every country is different.
It is worth researching the word "shoddy" as that is one of the terms used for recycled material (there are others which cover whole material types).
Marking of the containers: strangely I don't think there is a international symbol for this. I've seen a T shirt cartoon and the word for clothing in the local language on the outside of them.
The process (yes I really am this nerdy and Mrs Bilbo worked on the edge of this industry) is to sort, wash, shred and then rework into useful material.
Since I was most recently in the Netherlands on holiday https://www.expatica.com/nl/living/h...rlands-133948/
Last edited by bilboburgler; May 26th, 2023 at 10:24 PM.
#28
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Bilbo: Drinks can now also have statiegeld (deposit) on them here and can be returned to the same machines as plastic and some glass bottles can at supermarkets, and at stations for instance. Soon McD and the like will have to offer statiegeld cups, or charge you more for non returnable containers.
I live in a community where we don't split our rubbish as much as many do. We have one bin for food and garden waste (and we get free compost in return) and one for general household waste, which is then sorted and recycled/burned (the heat used to provide heat for buildings). Glass and old clothing are collected separately in bins by the supermarkets and paper by local clubs such as the football club and some scout groups, who earn money from it.
I use solid shower gel and shampoo and deodorant, which pack into their own little tins, both at home and when travelling. I take a few sheets of washing soap to wash clothes, either in a machine or by hand. I take my normal tube of toothpaste and electric toothbrush. I have thought of going to toothpaste tablets, but haven't done yet.
I used to overpack but the camper taught me otherwise.
My packing cubes are a cheap set I bought online. I find them very useful. Two small two large(ish - a bit more than A4 size) and a shoebag in the set. They are soft and compressible. One large one usually remains empty as a dirty washing bag. Two pairs of shoes, one on my feet, one in the bag. One small bag for smalls, the other one for tops, the big one for bulkier stuff. I know what is in each bag and can find stuff easily.
I do not abandon clothing while travelling.
So you wear the same thing for a couple of days. So what? You will never see all those people again, and chances are they won't notice anyway.
I live in a community where we don't split our rubbish as much as many do. We have one bin for food and garden waste (and we get free compost in return) and one for general household waste, which is then sorted and recycled/burned (the heat used to provide heat for buildings). Glass and old clothing are collected separately in bins by the supermarkets and paper by local clubs such as the football club and some scout groups, who earn money from it.
I use solid shower gel and shampoo and deodorant, which pack into their own little tins, both at home and when travelling. I take a few sheets of washing soap to wash clothes, either in a machine or by hand. I take my normal tube of toothpaste and electric toothbrush. I have thought of going to toothpaste tablets, but haven't done yet.
I used to overpack but the camper taught me otherwise.
My packing cubes are a cheap set I bought online. I find them very useful. Two small two large(ish - a bit more than A4 size) and a shoebag in the set. They are soft and compressible. One large one usually remains empty as a dirty washing bag. Two pairs of shoes, one on my feet, one in the bag. One small bag for smalls, the other one for tops, the big one for bulkier stuff. I know what is in each bag and can find stuff easily.
I do not abandon clothing while travelling.
So you wear the same thing for a couple of days. So what? You will never see all those people again, and chances are they won't notice anyway.
#29
**The idea that in the USA that recycling underwear is illegal seems very odd. But hey, every country is different.**
I didn't say it was illegal, but when it comes to articles of clothing that can spread STD's etc., you can't donate. If you put underwear in with other things you are donating, the charity throws them out. Things you buy, you can't always return if you don't want (some come with a hygiene liner and may allow return if intact). I've never seen a clothes recycle of any kind where I live, but these things are local decisions. My county quit doing any paper recycle a couple of years ago (only allowed to recycle certain cardboard). They don't have to pick up your recycle bin if you are putting things in it that aren't on the list.
I didn't say it was illegal, but when it comes to articles of clothing that can spread STD's etc., you can't donate. If you put underwear in with other things you are donating, the charity throws them out. Things you buy, you can't always return if you don't want (some come with a hygiene liner and may allow return if intact). I've never seen a clothes recycle of any kind where I live, but these things are local decisions. My county quit doing any paper recycle a couple of years ago (only allowed to recycle certain cardboard). They don't have to pick up your recycle bin if you are putting things in it that aren't on the list.
#31
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"If throwing them away please put them in a recyling container which you will find in many large bins around most towns."
Lord, I hope they clean them 1st.
There is a local recycling center that takes all clothing for destruction and reuse. I think it might become some kind of paper in the end. though I am not sure what your old undies will end up as.
Lord, I hope they clean them 1st.
There is a local recycling center that takes all clothing for destruction and reuse. I think it might become some kind of paper in the end. though I am not sure what your old undies will end up as.
Last edited by Comicman; May 29th, 2023 at 09:29 AM.
#34
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It seems as though we may be confusing 2 terms. recyle and reuse. It could be that common language that separates us across the pond.
recycle generally means the item gets broken down into the raw materials which then get made into something new. recycled plastic detergent bottles don't get refilled with detergent. recycled amazon boxes don't get sent back to amazon to reuse. as described above, used clothing that is recycled is shredded into fibers...
reuse - the item can be put back to use in its current form. I don't think anybody is suggesting that used underwear should get reused, but maybe I'm wrong.
The other alternative is commando.
recycle generally means the item gets broken down into the raw materials which then get made into something new. recycled plastic detergent bottles don't get refilled with detergent. recycled amazon boxes don't get sent back to amazon to reuse. as described above, used clothing that is recycled is shredded into fibers...
reuse - the item can be put back to use in its current form. I don't think anybody is suggesting that used underwear should get reused, but maybe I'm wrong.
The other alternative is commando.
#36
But for other trips, my best tip is to buy the tote/ whatever with a trolley sleeve. Transformational. I have two in the same Vera Bradly pattern - one in a tote and the other is a weekeneder/ small duffle. It makes life SO much easier to have the "riding" piece of luggage stable on the handle of the carry on. I'm not so much a fan of Vera Bradley but bought one when I was buying a birthday present for a NIL and then bought the other / larger one about a month later. I put bulky things, including an extra pair of shoes, in the tote along with my laptop, cardigan for the plane and other "stuff".
Here are a couple of photos from this trip. The trolley sleeve is a game changer - for me anyway.
Last edited by starrs; Jun 4th, 2023 at 05:03 PM.
#37
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"They say that if you’re going to check bags, you might as well make it worth it."
This thought is the antithesis of train travel. I travel in Europe almost exclusively by train, and, of course, have to fly there. I just can't wrangle big luggage any more. I recently completed 6 weeks with my carry-on bag and small backpack. I'll be able to do even better next time.
I, too, use Kathmandu packs as mentioned by Lavandula.
Edit: This was my 2222nd post...over 20 years!
This thought is the antithesis of train travel. I travel in Europe almost exclusively by train, and, of course, have to fly there. I just can't wrangle big luggage any more. I recently completed 6 weeks with my carry-on bag and small backpack. I'll be able to do even better next time.
I, too, use Kathmandu packs as mentioned by Lavandula.
Edit: This was my 2222nd post...over 20 years!
Last edited by margo_oz; Jun 4th, 2023 at 08:28 PM. Reason: additional info
#38
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Couldn't agree more, I have a cabin bag with a 'trolley sleeve' (I don't know what you'd call it in my dialect, perhaps not trolley, but this works for me) and it is a blessing not to have to carry an awkwardly-shaped bag which is otherwise very useful in the aircraft cabin. I always worry that I won't find a replacement because I don't see those sleeves that much in our luggage shops. For now, old faithful will have to do .
Thanks for the tip about the Container Store janisj. I have bought things from there in the past but their rates to Australia are quite expensive! But I will check it out .
Lavandula
Thanks for the tip about the Container Store janisj. I have bought things from there in the past but their rates to Australia are quite expensive! But I will check it out .
Lavandula