The ecological state of our planet is getting worse every year, motivating many people to pay attention to their negative impact on the environment. That also includes travelers, who often fly between their destinations and utilize many one-use products during the journey.
Tourists who want to become more eco-conscious choose the green travel approach. This concept incorporates many tips and tricks for producing less waste and minimizing emissions while enjoying their time abroad. In this article, we will explain five main ways you can lower your carbon footprint and travel green.
Reduce Plastic Use
The first instinct of a tourist is to buy a ton of single-use products in plastic bottles or get a hold of hotel toiletries and then toss the empty packaging away. This is very convenient, indeed, as you don’t have to bring full-sized bottles of shampoo and shower gel in a suitcase. Unfortunately, this is not sustainable at all. According to Sustainable Travel International, travelers end up creating twice as much waste as residents! Most of this waste can’t be recycled, so it ends in a landfill, polluting the planet.
To reduce plastic use and waste, purchase a set of travel bottles and fill them with your own products, such as shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and other self-care products. Bar soap and shampoos are an even better option. Pack a tote bag for groceries and souvenirs, and avoid getting plastic bags at the destination.
Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it with water in the hotels and coffee shops. Invest in an international eSIM instead of buying a physical SIM card for every destination to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste from SIM card packaging. A good eSIM will let you switch carriers when needed, even if you have multiple locations planned for your trip.
With sustainable communication, you can reduce your carbon footprint even further. However, before buying it blindly, make sure to check reviews
Choose Eco-Friendly Transportation
Let’s make one thing clear – there are no totally green transportation options available nowadays. Still, aviation is the most polluting industry when it comes to traveling. Out of all emissions on the planet, aviation creates 2% of them, which is a bigger amount than the carbon footprint of the UK! Naturally, you’d want to minimize traveling by plane when possible. Choose trains or electric vehicles since these two are more sustainable than planes. When you do have to fly, book only direct flights, which wastes less fossil fuel.
When traveling inside the destination, choose public transport or shared taxi rides. Petrol and diesel one-person vehicles are the worst choices for green travel, so stick to buses, trains, and trams — the latter runs on electricity, which is the most eco-friendly.
Book Sustainable Accommodations
Thanks to ecological awareness, there are a lot of sustainable hotels and hostels that minimize their carbon footprint and waste. Accommodations like that reduce their energy and water use, do not utilize single-use plastic, purchase only local foods, and do not use harsh chemicals when cleaning. Sustainable hotels also motivate their patrons to travel by eco-friendly transportation, recycle, and save as much energy as possible.
Moreover, some of these accommodations collaborate with local communities to promote sustainable tourism and engage in important conversations regarding cultural preservation. The result is real experiences for guests who truly want to connect with authentic cultures and learn more about their heritage.
One of the programs that provide accommodations with eco-friendly certifications is Green Globe. You can also check booking services and websites for full sustainability information about certain hotels.
Shop Local
Prioritizing locally produced items not only supports the community you’re visiting but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation and packaging, resulting in energy use and waste reduction across the whole supply chain. The same is true for local foods and goods! When you shop only for products made at the destination you’re in, you stop encouraging outsourcing.
In turn, groceries do not have to travel as long and waste fuel, which means smaller carbon footprint. The same applies to souvenirs and trinkets, too. It is always best to shop locally from farmers’ markets and stalls. Not only will you get fresher food and better-quality products, but you will also support the country economically, motivating overall growth and local conservation.
Stay Eco-Conscious
In the end, it is essential to remember that green travel is not possible to the full extent. Unfortunately, we still do not have fully eco-friendly flight solutions, and most carbon offset plans do not work efficiently. It is also impossible to stop producing waste when you travel. Yet, you can still minimize your impact as an individual.
For example, reduce your plastic use by investing in an international eSIM, pack your own self-care products, use a refillable water bottle, and avoid plastic packaging. Swapping flights to bus and train travel when possible will greatly save fossil fuel and offset carbon emissions. Booking sustainable accommodations can encourage you to save energy and water. Moreover, shopping for local products and foods not only provides you with fresh produce and high-quality souvenirs but also encourages economic growth.