Finding ways to reduce your impact on the environment is more important than it has ever been! With climate change being an increasingly serious problem, you as a traveler have a significant role to play in protecting our planet.
Sustainable travel is much better for the environment than typical traveling habits that include using air transport and staying in expensive hotels with large overhead bills. It’s always smart to look at how to improve your own style of living, but extending those same principles to your travels is even better.
There are many different types of sustainable tourism, so there is no one “best” way to enjoy this genre of travel. What is most practical for you will depend on what kind of traveller you are and what experiences you want to have.
This article will focus mostly on environmentally friendly accommodations and transportation methods. There are plenty more eco-friendly things you can do while traveling, such as eating vegetarian or vegan dishes and buying products without plastic.
Use public transport
One of the most efficient ways to travel is by using the metro, bus or train system. This is particularly important if you are looking to save some money as transportation costs can add up quickly.
Many cities have an app or website where you can track your commute and find out what types of trains, buses or trams run directly from one destination to another so it’s easy to use.
You will also want to look into whether there are any discounts or concessions for traveling by transit. For example, many major universities offer student passes that include reduced fares!
If possible try to avoid traveling in cars unless its for an extended length of time as this takes away from natural resources used to produce energy and pollution generated while driving.
Avoid disposable products
One of the biggest things you can do to help reduce your environmental impact while traveling is to avoid using disposable items. This includes everything from napkins to washcloths to toilet paper all the way down to water bottles!
Most people these days have a smartphone, so it makes sense to invest in an eco-friendly phone cover. These covers are made of either cloth or leather that can be washed and reused over and over again.
For drinkers, buying alcohol in plastic containers is unfortunately common, so investing in some glass bottles is a great start. You may also want to look into bringing your own bottle of drinking water since most places don’t provide them.
And what would travel be without a good pair of shoes? Luckily, smart shopping strategies exist for travelers who want to keep their feet happy and the environment clean at the same time.
Re-use plastic bags
For years, stores have provided paper or cloth shopping bags as an option to using plastic ones. These are much better for our environment in two major ways: they are less wasteful and they do not contribute to pollution by the number of times they are re-used.
Many supermarkets offer both types of bag at very little cost. You should definitely try one out before buying a bunch of new plastic bags!
By using these alternatives to plastic bags, you will also help prevent trash from going into waterways where it can harm aquatic life. Unfortunately, many coastal areas suffer from water contamination due to litter floating away.
These eco-friendly bags can be used several times before being properly recycled or saved for future use. If you find them too expensive initially, then spend some time looking for discounts or even free ways to purchase them.
Practice recycling
Recycling is an important part of protecting our environment. It can be done through various means, from material collection to product redesigning or replacing.
Many companies have designed products that are recyclable or make use of materials that can be recycled. For example, you might know plastic bottles as they’re most commonly seen in drinks!
These can often be made out of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which is able to be melted down and re-used over and over again. Some countries even offer easy access to facilities to recycle it for free!
By staying within guidelines set by different governments and organizations, we can help preserve this natural resource and prevent it being wasted or end up in our water or land. We must also remember that not all types of plastic are totally safe to recycle, so check with your local authorities on what options exist where you live.
We should also look into buying items that use less plastic.
Drink less
Many people begin their journey to sustainability with changing how much they drink. This is a great way to start! Thankfully, there are many ways to do this. You don’t have to go green just because you’re drinking some greens!
Many restaurants will offer healthier alternatives or even give you menu options that ask if you want cream or sugar added to your beverage. If you’re looking to reduce your alcohol intake, try choosing one over the other and see which one makes you feel better.
You can also bring your own bottle to avoid wasting money on beverages at the restaurant. Ask about refillable bottles so you don’t waste too much plastic every time you eat out.
Drinking less is an easy way to start reducing your environmental impact. Besides, who wants to spend all day feeling sick and uncomfortable?
Blog post: How to Save Money by Doing More Things Online
Bullet point: Shop online frequently
Most major retailers offer discounts and coupons for purchases made through their sites. By doing some research before buying anything, you’ll know what is legit and what isn’t.
Help reduce pollution
One of the biggest things that contribute to air and water pollution is traveling. We as consumers spend lots of money to make frequent trips, which help fuel the economy but at a cost in environmental impact.
Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate these impacts by choosing more sustainable forms of travel. For example, you can choose to go by public transport or use recyclable materials instead of buying new ones for your travels.
You can also look into staying somewhere with eco-friendly practices or donating to an organization that works towards environmentally friendly changes.
Switch off devices
We have become so connected through technology that we forget how to spend time without it. With every passing minute, you are exposed to less and less entertainment that does not require an internet connection or a device with apps.
Luckily, there are ways to reduce your screen time to save energy. Turn off all of your screens for some time to give yourself more time to enjoy non-tech activities. You can also use public transport instead of using cars which will help cut down on electricity used for transportation.
If you really want to keep in touch, avoid sending texts and calls and instead opt for voice chat or call apps that do not depend on the internet. Use of smartphones has increased dramatically over the past few years due to their convenience, but keeping them away from unnecessary usage is still worth it.
Join a tour group
One of the more sustainable ways to travel is to join a tour group. This is not always easy to do as some companies advertise very heavily, while others may lack exposure through social media or word of mouth.
But there are many benefits to this type of tourism! First, most tour groups contain at least one item that goes towards protecting and preserving our environment. These can be educational about a specific location or topic, they can promote ethical practices such as recycling and sustainability, or they can offer eco-tourism experiences like visiting an organic farm or taking public transportation instead of private car services.
Another benefit is money savings. Since most tour groups have limited numbers, you will get the best deal possible by being a cost conscious traveler. You also earn extra rewards for staying within budget, which helps preserve the planet even more.
A third perk is community building. Many people don’t realize it, but traveling with a large group actually creates strong bonds. People who go on similar tours often keep in touch afterwards because of this.
