Should you live your life according to green principles at home (and we hope you do), then continue this good practice in your travels. As we discussed in a previous article, going greener should be one of the key factors shaping the mindset of every traveler. Mother Earth depends upon it, and your positive choices will make a difference, no matter how small.
To reduce your environmental impact, and to showcase your green credentials, you might want to think about the following.
Cut down on your plastic waste. The less plastic you use, the better, especially considering these frightening statistics. One way to manage your part in plastic reduction is to only take one plastic bottle with you on your travels, filling it up where water is safe to drink, instead of purchasing more bottled drinks and throwing empty bottles away. And if you are heading out to a country with potentially unsafe water sources, bring a small water filter with you on your travels so you will have something with you to make the water safe to drink.
Cut down on fuel emissions. The increasing demand for air travel means one thing: more damage to our environment. While technologies are being put in place to make our planes more fuel-efficient, it is still worth noting that the aviation industry is still responsible for much of the carbon emissions that are released each year. While this shouldn’t deter you from traveling – you still need to get from A to B – you might choose to fly with eco-friendly airlines that are choosing greener practices. And when you have landed in your chosen destination, consider how you are going to get around. Instead of using public transport a lot, minimize your environmental impact by using your legs or riding a bicycle. Not only will you be doing your bit to reduce your carbon footprint, but you will also get to see more of the world around you if you travel at a slower pace.
Choose your accommodation wisely. Many hotels are adopting eco-friendly initiatives to both do their bit in helping the environment, and to stay competitive, winning customers over to their side by showing their green credentials. Take a look at these hotels as positive examples. Therefore, when booking a hotel, check out their website to find out what they are doing for the environment. Do they have a recycling policy? Are they staffed with local employees? Do they have any green-certifications? Do your research, and always go green with your hotel choice when given the option.
Be responsible. Follow green practices wherever you are. When you are in the hotel, don’t spend too long in the shower. Don’t overfill your bath. Cut down your electricity usage. And use the hotel’s recycling facilities. When you are out and about, be responsible with your trash. Don’t litter the streets. Don’t throw plastic away. And if you are traveling in a developing country that doesn’t have the means to dispose of man-made and potentially hazardous items, wait until you get home so you can recycle or contact a firm that deals with hazardous waste disposal. It’s what you do that matters, so don’t add to the problem that landfills create.
We hope you found this article useful, but if you know of any other ways to showcase green credentials while traveling, be sure to let us know.
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