As much as we love to travel, we all need to do our bit to help reduce our footprint, be that here at home or on your next overseas adventure (whenever that eventually happens). While it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of planning your next sojourn, we all need to be conscious that the jet fuel, the plethora of packaging we take with us, the disruption to nature and the over-use of energy all add up.
To help you become a more sustainable traveller, here are eight environmentally-friendly travel tips you should implement on your next holiday.
#1 Research Before Booking Your Flight
While most of us are on the lookout for the most budget-friendly travel option, try to think beyond the price tag and see how your airline choices are affecting the environment. Choose an airline that is proactive in improving its technology for fuel alternatives, for instance, Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) is working towards using jet fuel made from green algae. Just several years ago, Qantas was the largest carbon emission eliminator and with your help off-set 585,000 flights, that’s one flight every 53 seconds. At the very least, most airlines have the option to pay a few more dollars to offset your carbon footprint.
#2 Pack Light
Worldwide, flights produce around 915 million tonnes of CO2 per year. Heavy bags result in a heavier plane, resulting in more fuel and producing more carbon emissions. It sounds like a small thing, but if we change our way of thinking when it comes to luggage, it could result in making a real difference. Our tip? Pack only what you need, choosing basic items that can be worn multiple times. If things get dirty, spend money at a local laundromat, helping to boost income in the area.
#3 Be Prepared
It sounds simple but simply being prepared can result in a lot less waste. Your failsafe pack should include a re-usable set of cutlery, an insulated drink bottle that can double as a flask for hot tea or coffee, a stainless steel straw, tote bags and your own headphones so you don’t have to open the plastic packs on the plane. Also, pack your plane toiletries in a cute clear makeup bag instead of always reaching for the ziplock bags (imagine how many of those they go through a day just because people aren’t organised?)
#4 Ditch Hotel Toiletries
Let’s be real, chances are we’ve all left a half-used bottle of body wash sitting on the hotel bathroom shelf, for it to only be thrown in the bin and replaced for the next guest. And when you think about the number of people around the world without proper sanitation, it’s a lose-lose situation for us and the environment. When preparing for your next adventure, remember to pack your own soaps and shampoos so you won’t need to rely on the ones provided in hotels. You can go one step further by seeking out brands like Seed And Sprout who create natural, organic products that are safer for you and safer for our world.
#5 Choose Public Transport
When you arrive at your destination, jump on the local bus to get to your accommodation. It’s one of the best things you can do for the environment when travelling because less private transport = less cars on the road. Plus, you get to interact with locals and other travellers, making your trip even more special. If you’re renting a car, always opt for the smallest one possible, as it will still get you from A to B without as many carbon emissions. Walking is also an amazing way to burn off all the holiday cocktails and the perfect way to get your bearings in a new place with little impact on our beautiful environment.
#6 Shop Local
Some countries still use plastic bags, so stuff your shopping tote bag in your handbag just in case you need to grab a few things while you are out and about. Shopping for food that is grown and produced in the country means less food miles and you’re supporting the local community. It’s a win-win. Always research when the local markets are on, you will be surprised at all the new and delicious foods you will discover.
#7 Look For Environmentally Conscious Hotels And Hostels
One of the best things you can do while travelling is to support sustainable businesses. Instead of sticking with the big chains, seek out locally owned and operated boutique hotels. Go one step further and research accommodation that has the environment at the forefront of what they do. Anywhere that uses natural energy sources, recycles their waste, or minimises their use of single-use plastics gets a big tick from us. All it takes to uncover one of these gems is a little bit of research.
#8 Say No To Animal Tourism
Behind the tiger selfie in Thailand and the elephant ride in Bali is a reality almost too grim to write. A lot of people visit wildlife attractions because they genuinely love animals, but the best thing you can do is not support these businesses, because when the demand ends, so will the animal cruelty. If a holiday with animal interaction is something you’re after, head here for our roundup of eco and animal-friendly ideas.
Looking for some holiday inspo? Check out these incredible First Nations travel experiences.
Image Credit: Semina Psichogiopoulou/Unsplash