If you’re someone who loves going on trips but has seen how less travel has been good for the planet during the pandemic, you may be looking at ways to make your trips more sustainable. While you may not need to stop all your travel, here are some ways you can do your part to help the planet and travel:
Bring your own water bottle
It’s so easy to pick up a plastic water bottle at the airport and then get another plastic cup of water on the plane. It’s also easy to walk around a new city and collect plastic water bottles as you go. However, if there is a habit that avid eco-friendly travelers should aim to complete, it’s how they drink their water.
Investing in a large water bottle that you can refill as you travel is a surefire away to avoid having to use too much plastic on your trip. However, there are some destinations where you won’t be able to fill up your bottle with tap water due to bacteria. In these scenarios, consider buying one or two large gallons of water that can refill your bottle for the duration of your trip.
Consider road tripping
Flying often increases your carbon footprint on this planet. While cars are not that much better, if you choose to rent an eco-friendly vehicle to a destination close enough to road trip to, you can do your part to minimize your travel impact on the planet and become environmentally conscious.
If you’re a group of people traveling together, you can all carpool to avoid taking various vehicles. Plus, driving together as a group can be a lot more affordable than booking multiple flights.
When possible, avoid purchasing packaged goods
This may not be the easiest tip to follow when traveling with your family, as it’s easy to buy snacks and items along the way that are packaged. Consider eating larger meals at restaurants where the food is served fresh without packaging, so you don’t have to snack too often in between meals.
Rent a bicycle at your destination
Instead of getting an Uber or Lyft, consider renting a bicycle at your destination to get around. Although this may not be possible in very cold climates, it can be a great way for you to practice sustainable habits and discover a new way to see the city when this travel method is available.
You’ll find that many cities around the world have bicycle sharing programs or, at the very least, places you can rent one from, so consider making this your new way of seeing the world. It’s good for you, good for your travel experience, and great for the planet.
Pack your non-packaged toiletries
While you can’t bring liquids on your flight larger than 100ml, you can bring as much bar soap as you want. This means that you can bring enough bar shampoo, conditioner, and other hygienic products for your trip in your luggage. This is a great step towards sustainable travel habits because you avoid using plastic for your liquids and bypass spending money on more products at your destination.
In Conclusion
You love to travel, but like many of us, you also care about the planet. While you may not have to stop traveling, incorporating sustainable habits or practices like the ones mentioned above can help you do your part to help the environment.
It may take effort or research to get started using new products or carrying around a large bottle for your water, but it’s worth the effort to reduce your carbon footprint whenever you’re exploring the world.
