More and more people are becoming aware of their individual impact on the environment. For those of us who love to travel, we’re often faced with uncertainty about whether we can still get out there and explore, while being kind to the planet that we love.
The good news is yes you can travel sustainably! All it takes is a little more planning and awareness before you go and while you’re away. There’s actually a lot you can do to be a sustainable traveller, so read on for some of our top tips for sustainable travel...
How to be a sustainable traveller - Before you go
Carbon offset your flight
It’s well known that flying isn’t a very eco-friendly mode of transport, but where travelling by train, road or water isn’t possible, you can choose to offset the carbon footprint of your flight.
When you book your next flight you should see a carbon offset tick box - mark the box and pay a little extra and your emissions will be compensated for by the airline thanks to schemes such as tree planting and conservation projects.
Don’t print your boarding pass & reservation documents
Let technology pick up the paperwork. If you’ve got a smartphone you can also have all your boarding passes and check-in documents electronically stored, either in the relevant app or on your email.
Pick up some eco-friendly travel products
Get off to a good start with the right products to help you have an eco-friendly trip. A reusable water bottle is a must, and solid toiletries such as shampoo bars and soap are a great way to reduce single-use plastic on your travels.
You also might like to consider packing a reusable straw, and a reusable bag for your shopping and laundry. Washing items yourself? Eco-friendly detergents will help to reduce your impact on the local environment and don’t forget there’s also some great solar powered products out there, including phone chargers and speakers.
Easy ways to be a sustainable traveller while you’re there
Use public transport/walk/cycle where possible
Once you’ve arrived, take the time to investigate the best ways to get around. We recognise that depending on where you are, some sustainable transport options aren’t practical or safe but wherever you can, choose public transport, hop on a bike or take a walk.
Not only will you do your bit for the planet, you’ll also get a chance to soak up your surroundings and the local culture more than you would in the back of a taxi.
Hang up your towels & turn everything off when you leave your room
Sounds simple but easy things to overlook! Just as you would at home, hang up your towels once used to prevent them being bundled into the laundry unnecessarily.
And when it’s time to head out and about for the day, be sure to switch off lights, the tv, air con etc.. when you leave to prevent electricity being wasted.
Eat local, and think about going veggie or being vegan for your trip
Great for the environment and great for your experience! Skip the McDonalds and Starbucks and pick up some lovely local dishes when you’re exploring a new place to help reduce the miles the ingredients have to travel to your plate.
While you’re away embracing new experiences, why not try going veggie or vegan if you’re not already? Research shows that reducing meat consumption is a great way to reduce our environmental impact.
Have you got any great tips for sustainable travelling? We’d love to hear them. Head over to our Instagram or Facebook pages and let us know, and you could see your idea featured in a future post!
