7 Eco-Friendly Travel Ideas For Your Next Trip
We’ve shared seven easy peasy ways to travel more consciously. Go green while you Go See Orbis with these eco-friendly tips!
“Do Not Travel” – probably the number one tip that every wanderloather suggests for minimizing one’s environmental footprint! But the truth is, ever since the beginning of humanity, people have travelled for various reasons – be it for war, territorial expansion, religion/pilgrimage, business, or leisure. Travelling is a fervent passion of many, an integral part of the lives of a majority of people. It’s hard to imagine a world without holidays and opportunities to travel to new places. So even though many of us will continue to travel, I can still vouch that making simple choices to care for the environment can go a long way in the pursuit of travelling more consciously!
🚀 Get cracking before you leave
Ensure you unplug and turn off all electronics and appliances before leaving for your trip.
Suspend newspaper subscriptions so a pile doesn’t greet you upon your return which you may not read anyways.
Pack soap bars and shampoos from home so you don’t have to use the tiny amenities you’ll get at the hotels (they’re never enough anyways). And why expose your skin to new chemicals that are different from the ones you’re accustomed to?
🚀 Carry a foldable reusable bag wherever you go
A highly popular tip, but often neglected! When shopping at markets, don’t forget to bring your own reusable bags and turn down plastic ones whenever possible. For sure you’ll have plenty of tote/non-woven/canvas/mesh bags lying around from all the exhibitions, seminars or university open days you attend!
🚀 Bring your own water bottle
Having a reusable water bottle handy when you are travelling really helps cut down on unnecessary plastic waste. Though plastic bottles tend to be a cheap commodity, it is important to consider where the plastic goes once you’ve discarded it and how it often ends up in landfills and natural environments. Not to mention, plastic water bottles are super expensive to purchase at the airport; so why not bring your own bottle and refill from the airport’s water dispenser after passing security? I personally carry Dubblin with me! Their double-walled vacuum thermos bottles can keep my drinks cool or warm, and I’m not worried about any plastic leaching. Refill and rehydrate with style – let that be your motto! 😎
🚀 Choose to dine in instead of grabbing take away
One of the biggest sources of waste comes from the food we buy. The single use styrofoam/plastic containers, plastic cutlery and disposable cups are mostly discarded after consumption. When travelling and eating, why not choose to dine in? Some place fancy with a good ambiance and music will surely add delight to your travel days! If you’re renting out a home and have access to kitchen amenities, it’s always a fantastic idea to shop locally and cook a meal or two. When on the move, try packing your own meals in a paper bag and carry a reusable lunch box. Let me again recommend Dubblin‘s lunch box – the stainless steel interior body allows for easy cleaning and leaves no stains, and is sophisticated in design and practicality!
🚀 Consider your hotel as your home
Act like you’re at home when you’re in a hotel – that way you’ll reuse your towels (hang it, don’t leave them on the floor), won’t leave the water running for ages, and will turn off the TV, lights, and air conditioner before leaving the room. Don’t forget to close the curtains and blinds before leaving for the day, so the room stays cool and does not get sultry due to the sun shining through all afternoon.
🚀 Don’t overindulge in brochures and physical maps
We live in a digital era, so we really don’t need to grab all the brochures that are available for free. Download the map of the city on your smartphone (so you can access it offline); ask a localite for recommendations on the best spots to visit and add them as saved places on your phone. If you prefer a physical copy, it’s always a good idea to return maps and brochures back to the stand for other people to use next – just as you would leave newspapers and magazines at coffee shops or salons!
🚀 Be a responsible and ethical traveller
Always pledge to leave the place you visit cleaner than it was when you arrived! “Bin Your Litter” or bring it home by simply shoving wrappers and tissues into the bottle pockets of your bag pack. You know you’re cool when you do that! 😎
Choose souvenirs that are locally made instead of buying plastic key chains and t-shirts made in China! Steer away from stuff that have been sourced from animals and have threatened their survival such as fur, ivory, horns, shells, and many more.
Preserve the natural environment when going out on adventures! Do not apply oxybenzone containing sunscreens when diving as the chemical tends to damage the sensitive coral reefs causing them to bleach. Do not hoard insects or marine life species (even as souvenirs) because that can cause ecological problems!
Opting for public transport and renting a bike or a cycle are also great ways to go green, rather than taking a cab or driving a car when it’s just one or two of you!
Ensure you join tours and activities that practice ecotourism 🌏
If you’ve got some more eco-friendly travel ideas, do share them in the comments below. There can never be too many tips when it comes to planning a trip that’s good for your soul as well as the environment!