You want to see the world, but you’re afraid of damaging the environment. Traveling does harm the planet in some ways, but you can ensure you do so responsibly. Here are a few ways to make your trip sustainable so others can enjoy the sites after you.
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1. Rely on Reusable Items
You should pack light to reduce your travel load and bring reusable items you may need. In America, people throw away over 2.5 million plastic bottles per hour, making a reusable one much more efficient, affordable, and better for the environment. Similarly, if you’re staying for a while, consider bringing food storage containers and shopping bags for the groceries you buy. The more reusable items you carry, the less waste you’ll create from single-use items.
The best part about these items is that you don’t have to limit them to travel. You can use them at home and bring them whenever you go somewhere. It might take up a bit more room in your luggage, but not having to buy single-use products can make up for the space they occupy.
2. Find Environmentally Friendly Lodgings
Find a hotel that’s committed to green procedures and practices. LEED-certified establishments are committed to sustainable business practices. They strive to maintain great air quality and waste management and do their best to reduce any carbon emissions.
You can stay at these resorts without worrying about the negative impact you’re having on the environment. You might even opt for a destination that puts the world first by focusing on its carbon footprint. Prioritize the places that care about the planet to have an even better trip, knowing you’re contributing to its health.
3. Take Alternative Methods of Transportation
You may not be able to avoid taking a plane to your destination, but you can offset that carbon by choosing greener transportation methods once you land. You could take an e-bike, which releases only about 22 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, compared to cars, which emit over 270 grams for the same distance. If all else fails, you can always walk to your destinations. Traveling in these alternate ways can also encourage you to see more of your vacation spots.
4. Buy Sustainably
Focus on buying from small, locally owned businesses during your travels. Ensure everything you purchase is made sustainably and that you dispose of it properly if it lives out its life span before you return home. This puts money directly into the pockets of families who may need it rather than larger corporations.
Consider asking yourself these questions before making a purchase:
- Do I need this item?
- How long will I use this?
- Can it wait?
If the purchase can wait, step away from it for a while. Then, if you still really want it the next day, get it. Avoiding impulses ensures you’re only buying things you want or need rather than contributing to what will eventually become waste. Consider also getting a travel credit card, which can help shoulder expenses that might be a bit higher to support small business costs while also enjoying the ample reward points they offer.
5. Offset Your Carbon Costs
Your carbon footprint will never be zero. You can try everything, but you may still affect the environment around you. If you want to be carbon-neutral, you can buy offsets that will pave the way for the future of sustainable projects while also keeping unnecessary carbon dioxide out of the environment. If you plan to contribute to a carbon offset, make sure it’s a project that resonates with you and agrees with your views. You want to know what you’ll be contributing to, after all.
6. Use Your Water and Energy Wisely
Just because you’re away from home doesn’t mean you can waste valuable resources. You might take things for granted when you’re not directly paying for them, but remember that your usage might also affect the environment. Turn off the lights when you’re not using them and conserve water by taking normal-length showers and turning the faucet off when you brush your teeth. If the whole world is your home, you must save resources wisely.
7. Use the “Do Not Disturb” Sign
If you stay in a hotel for longer than a day, you may only need the room cleaned occasionally. You can always ask for more towels or toilet paper at the front desk, but having someone come into your room to clean every day might be a waste of resources. Consider using the same towel for the duration of your stay, as it means the hotel will use less water for laundry.
The International Tourism Partnership set a goal for hospitality services aligned with the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse emissions by about 66% per room by 2030. While it sounds like a drastic change from 2010 levels, small changes like allowing your space to stay “lived in” rather than spotless every day will help your favorite hotel reach its goals.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint While Enjoying the World
Traveling can be a fun way to see the global community you’re part of, but you should also take care of every destination as if it were your home. You should be able to see the world without contributing negatively to it. Make the proper choices as you travel and you might leave a place better than you found it. Leaving no trace and trying to benefit the planet in all your decisions is the best way to experience everything this world offers.
