Happy Earth Day! Today is one of our favorite days of the year because we get to celebrate this beautiful planet that we all call home. Traveling allows us to see everything the world has to offer, and we must try to be eco-friendly travelers to protect our planet from harm. In this article, we will be sharing some tips and products that will help you become more Earth-conscious during your next trip. If we all work together to make some simple changes, we can make our planet a better place for future generations to come.
Tips For Being a More Eco-Friendly Traveler
1. Offset Your Carbon Emissions
Although there are many incredible companies out there that allow you to offset your carbon emissions, one of our favorites is Sustainable Travel International. On their website, you can calculate your travel carbon footprint and offset it by pledging to donate money to help the environment. This money will go to causes such as planting trees and protecting our forests.
2. Reuse Your Bath Towels
Another way to be a more sustainable traveler is to reuse your bath towels, especially when staying at a hotel. Doing laundry uses a lot of water, and you contribute to that waste when you constantly use a new towel after showering. Instead, hang up your towel when possible and use it numerous times throughout your stay.
3. Take Public Transportation
If you’re on a trip and need to get around your destination, try to take public transportation instead of renting a car. When you take public transit, your carbon emissions are lower. This is because you are sharing a ride with numerous people rather than taking your own vehicle. Many cities have trains, buses, and even ferries that you can take.
4. Carry a Reusable Water Bottle
Single-use plastics are one of the worst environmental contributors, and unfortunately, they are frequently used across the globe. This includes plastic water bottles. Plastic water bottles can take up to 450 years to decompose in a landfill, which is why it’s essential to carry around a reusable water bottle with you instead.
5. Book With Sustainable Travel Companies
There are many companies out there that support sustainable travel, with some of them even donating a portion of their profits to help the environment. One company that we love is Natural Habitat Adventures. Not only are they the first 100% carbon-neutral travel company, but they also fund carbon reduction projects worldwide.
6. Walk Whenever You Can
An excellent way to be a more sustainable traveler is to avoid taking transportation whenever possible. Many destinations are very walkable and allow you to get where you need to without using transportation. If your destination isn’t walkable, consider using a bike or public transit to reduce your carbon footprint.
7. Turn Off the Lights When You Leave
No matter if you’re staying at a hotel or vacation rental, always turn off the lights when you leave. Turning off the lights helps save energy and can even reduce carbon emissions. If you’re worried that you will forget to turn off the lights, bring along sticky notes with you and place one on the door as a reminder.
8. Avoid Takeout
If you can, cook your meals at your vacation rental or eat at a restaurant rather than ordering takeout. When you cook or go out to eat, you’ll most likely eat on dishes that can be washed and reused. But when you order food to go, it will probably come in plastic containers that need to be thrown away. These plastic containers take years to break down and will only harm the environment in the long run.
9. Bring Reusable Bags
Bring your own reusable bags if you plan to go shopping while traveling (retail shopping or grocery shopping). Single-use plastic bags are very harmful to the environment, and you can do your part by using reusable bags. Not only do they help reduce plastic waste, but they are also sturdier than grocery store bags.
10. Pick Up After Yourself
The easiest way to become a more sustainable traveler is to pick up after yourself. Unfortunately, many people leave their trash lying around or throw it onto the ground. Not only is this bad for the environment, but it’s also disrespectful to the locals. So please, when you have trash or things that need to be recycled, clean up after yourself and help keep our world a happy and healthy place.Â
5 Eco-Friendly Travel Products We Love
Not only are these reusable bags stylish, but they can fold down small enough to fit in your luggage. Bring them with you on your next trip and use them while shopping for groceries or other items. Reusable bags are a significantly more eco-friendly option rather than using the plastic bags that are usually given to you at the store.
Switching to a reusable water bottle is an easy way to be more environmentally friendly while traveling. Plastic water bottles are single-use and take a long time to break down, whereas reusable bottles can be used repeatedly. The best part about this bottle is that it can collapse and fit inside your backpack or purse.
Conserve energy and charge your electronic devices in the process by using a portable solar charger. Simply leave the portable charger in the sun while relaxing at your hotel or vacation rental, and take it with you whenever you’re on the go. This way, you’ll never have to worry about your electronic devices running out of battery again.
Plastic straws can harm the environment, animals, plants, and people. This is because they typically break down into smaller pieces and can get into food and water. That’s why we recommend bringing a reusable metal straw with you on your travels. You can bring them along anywhere, they’re easy to clean and are environmentally friendly.
5. Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Did you know that most shampoos and conditioners are made out of mostly water? Yes, really! Not only is this a waste of your money, but it is also a waste of water, too. Instead, bring along shampoo and conditioner bars during your next trip. Shampoo and conditioner bars are easy to transport, and one bar can replace 2-3 bottles of shampoo/conditioner.
It’s crucial that we all do our best to become sustainable travelers so that we can keep our beautiful Earth clean and healthy. Although it won’t happen overnight, making small changes and pledging to use eco-friendly travel products is a step in the right direction.Â
Do you have an upcoming trip and need a passport or visa? Swift Passport and Visa Services can help! Simply go to our website, and begin the application process. Our team will then work on processing your travel documents and get them to you as soon as possible. If you have any questions about obtaining your passport or visa, please contact a member of our team. No matter where you’re going, we’ll get you there.
