Living in an era when we need to be more eco-friendly means considering our carbon footprint in some situations.
Experts claim that the way we travel and our habits can help with that, so if you want to save the planet by eliminating some bad habits during your travels, here are a few tips.
Whenever we need to travel, we often consider the most practical options, which aren’t always the most eco-friendly. Analysis shows that preferring train over flying for short to medium distances can drastically reduce emissions.
Yes, there are situations when you’ll have to fly, so in those cases it’s a good idea to consider non-stop flights. The main reason is that take-off and landing are the most carbon-intensive parts of the journey.
Travel is just one part of the story, and the accommodation is the second. Look for accommodations with clearly outlined sustainability practices, which will enable you to contribute to the goal.
Review the policies and certifications for water, waste, and energy, and consider smaller guesthouses or eco-hotels, which are often more transparent about their practices. Statistics show that 8 in 10 travellers consider the more sustainable options, so this is your chance to be the 9th.
Adding weight to any mode of transportation increases fuel consumption, thereby increasing emissions. You may think an extra bag on a plane isn't a big deal, but when enough people do it, it becomes a significant issue.
Choose the More Eco-Friendly Mode of Transport
Whenever we need to travel, we often consider the most practical options, which aren’t always the most eco-friendly. Analysis shows that preferring train over flying for short to medium distances can drastically reduce emissions.
Yes, there are situations when you’ll have to fly, so in those cases it’s a good idea to consider non-stop flights. The main reason is that take-off and landing are the most carbon-intensive parts of the journey.
Choose Accommodations With Confirmed Sustainability Practices
Travel is just one part of the story, and the accommodation is the second. Look for accommodations with clearly outlined sustainability practices, which will enable you to contribute to the goal.
Review the policies and certifications for water, waste, and energy, and consider smaller guesthouses or eco-hotels, which are often more transparent about their practices. Statistics show that 8 in 10 travellers consider the more sustainable options, so this is your chance to be the 9th.
Pack Light and Smart
Adding weight to any mode of transportation increases fuel consumption, thereby increasing emissions. You may think an extra bag on a plane isn't a big deal, but when enough people do it, it becomes a significant issue.
This is why you should pack essential items, as well as some “just in case” items that you may think you’ll need. Pack a lightweight water bottle, collapsible cups, and travel cutlery, all of which can help you save space and weight while avoiding the cost of these items during your trip.
While single-use items are practical at times, they don't do any favors for the environment. Every single-use item will end up in the trash bin and, in most cases, at some landfill.
This is why items like multipurpose bags and toiletry travel bottles are so popular among people who want to reduce their carbon footprint. You should also avoid getting food from places that use plastic containers, as most of them cannot be reused. Switching from sanitary pads to a menstrual cup will also eliminate single-use sanitary pads.
Whenever you travel, you need to consider a few things, such as tickets and bookings. For a long time, people printed these, but today, you can go digital. You can obtain a digital boarding pass or booking confirmation, thereby reducing waste while ensuring you won't lose any of them.
When travelling to a foreign country, you should consider getting a data plan from a local ISP. SIMs have been the golden standard, but with eSIM becoming more and more popular, you have the option to reduce plastic waste when you leave the country.
Avoid Single-Use Items
While single-use items are practical at times, they don't do any favors for the environment. Every single-use item will end up in the trash bin and, in most cases, at some landfill.
This is why items like multipurpose bags and toiletry travel bottles are so popular among people who want to reduce their carbon footprint. You should also avoid getting food from places that use plastic containers, as most of them cannot be reused. Switching from sanitary pads to a menstrual cup will also eliminate single-use sanitary pads.
Go Digital When Possible
Whenever you travel, you need to consider a few things, such as tickets and bookings. For a long time, people printed these, but today, you can go digital. You can obtain a digital boarding pass or booking confirmation, thereby reducing waste while ensuring you won't lose any of them.
When travelling to a foreign country, you should consider getting a data plan from a local ISP. SIMs have been the golden standard, but with eSIM becoming more and more popular, you have the option to reduce plastic waste when you leave the country.
Say you’re travelling to China, getting an eSIM for China grants you a lot of comfort from the moment you start travelling. Using one eliminates the need to visit a retailer, wasting time, and potentially increasing your carbon footprint by taking a trip there.
This is a bit strange at first, but there's a good reason behind it. Supporting the local economy, especially restaurants, can significantly reduce the carbon footprint. The reason is that local restaurants rely on local products, reducing the need for imports.
It’s a similar situation with certain goods or guided tours. The local staff will use locally sourced goods or will guide you in a way that you understand how this approach can help the community, which often carries ecological benefits.
Wanting to fully explore your travel destination is what most of us as tourists want, but the problem with that is that you increase your carbon footprint. Yes, there will be a point when you might need to rely on some kind of transport, but if possible, replace it with walking or cycling.
Support the Local Economy
This is a bit strange at first, but there's a good reason behind it. Supporting the local economy, especially restaurants, can significantly reduce the carbon footprint. The reason is that local restaurants rely on local products, reducing the need for imports.
It’s a similar situation with certain goods or guided tours. The local staff will use locally sourced goods or will guide you in a way that you understand how this approach can help the community, which often carries ecological benefits.
Favour Low-Impact Activities
Wanting to fully explore your travel destination is what most of us as tourists want, but the problem with that is that you increase your carbon footprint. Yes, there will be a point when you might need to rely on some kind of transport, but if possible, replace it with walking or cycling.
If you’re planning a hike, make sure you follow the rules, especially if you’re visiting some fragile habitats. Avoid disrupting the environment and make sure you don’t leave anything that shouldn’t be there. Everything you packed for there, you should pack for your trip back.
The thing most of us don’t realise is the significant carbon footprint of technology. Charging requires electricity, and in many parts of the world, power generation is still not green, so it's essential to conserve it. The best way to do that is to use a battery-saver setting on your devices. You should also bring a power bank with you in case you need to charge your device. A good tip is to keep an eye out for solar charging stations.
We mentioned eSIMs as a good way to remain connected while travelling. Getting the best eSIM for Asia or any other continent that you’re travelling to helps you choose the most sustainable way of connection. This is because the primary benefit in terms of eco-friendliness is the reduction of waste. A traditional SIM is made of plastic, and analysis shows that over 4 billion are issued each year. This means that a significant number of them will end up in a landfill. You can avoid this just by getting the digital SIM instead of the physical one.
Consider Technology’s Footprint
The thing most of us don’t realise is the significant carbon footprint of technology. Charging requires electricity, and in many parts of the world, power generation is still not green, so it's essential to conserve it. The best way to do that is to use a battery-saver setting on your devices. You should also bring a power bank with you in case you need to charge your device. A good tip is to keep an eye out for solar charging stations.
We mentioned eSIMs as a good way to remain connected while travelling. Getting the best eSIM for Asia or any other continent that you’re travelling to helps you choose the most sustainable way of connection. This is because the primary benefit in terms of eco-friendliness is the reduction of waste. A traditional SIM is made of plastic, and analysis shows that over 4 billion are issued each year. This means that a significant number of them will end up in a landfill. You can avoid this just by getting the digital SIM instead of the physical one.
