People usually think that eco-friendly travel is camping or using a bike as the main mode of transport to travel across the country but it’s honestly so much more than that.
Being eco-friendly is about thinking twice before you ask the cashier to double your plastic bag or deciding whether all that extra piece of Polyester clothing is really necessary. In essence, eco-friendly travel is about the small green steps you take to reduce your carbon foot print.
With everyone these days doing their part to advocate and reduce their carbon footprint, you should too! Verily, this is the best time to start getting involved in this eco-friendly movement and save Mother Nature!
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Travelling can make you extremely parched and tap water is not always safe to drink in some areas of the world. However, you should not take this as an excuse to purchase plastic-bottled water. Instead, you could opt to purchase a durable water bottle that you can bring wherever you go and fill up whenever you want to. Additionally, you could obtain clean water by filtering your tap water using a water filter or water purification tablets.
The Ultralight water purifier bottle by Grayl is very convenient and has a filter capacity of 16oz (437ml). It looks like a regular water bottle that you can take to the gym. You can purchase this water bottle through Amazon or their official website.
Another option is the Lifestraw. It removes bacteria, parasites and microplastics from any kind of liquid. It is light weight (2oz) and extremely durable as it can filter upto a 1000 gallons (4000L), which is 5 years worth of drinking water for one person! You can purchase this straw from the official Lifestraw website or Amazon.
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This may seem insignificant, but packing light can actually have a profound impact on the environment.
The more weight the plane carries, the higher its fuel consumption - resulting in higher carbon emissions which will destroy the environment. So do take into account that every extra kilogram counts and that the lighter your baggage is, the less fuel is used by the plane.
Remember, every kilogram saved will go a long way in reducing carbon emissions, so start packing light and encourage your friends and family to do the same!
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Plastic bags do come in handy when you are travelling. However, you must make the effort of trying to refrain from using them as much as possible – use reusable bags instead!
Plastic is generally a non-biodegradable material. It can take hundreds of years to decompose as bacteria and other living organisms cannot break it down easily. Henceforth, decreading plastic usage will aid in reducing pollution and ultimately, benefit the environment immensely.
So do your part for the environment by investing in reusable, waterproof bags which are durable and big enough so that you can carry as many things in it. If you intend to carry heavier or more bulky items, you could opt for the Ikea Frakta Carrier Bag.
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Perhaps using public transport in a foreign country may not be an idea that appeals to you at first, but know that this is by far the best way to travel eco-friendly! More so, taking public transport like buses or trains to travel from place to another is a much cheaper option compared to renting your own car or using taxis. More importantly, taking public transport will serve to reduce the amount of fuel used up per passenger compared to if each individual rode their own vehicle.
Walking is another option, especially if you want to immerse yourself in the beauty of the foreign country you're visiting. It is happens to be the most cost-effective mode of transport and good in keeping you fit and healthy too!
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Instead of buying a new pack of batteries every time you run out of them, why not invest in a good, durable rechargeable battery? It will be cost-effective in the long run and also last longer compared to single-use batteries.
Single-use batteries cause a lot of damage to the environment as not only are they not disposed properly most of the time, but they are also very corrosive as they contain a cocktail of heavy metals and other nasty chemicals.
On the other hand, rechargeable batteries have an estimated of 28 times less impact on global warming compared to single-use batteries, making them the better option.
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Food is always one of the reasons why people love to travel, so why not eat local?
Always opt for local food produce when you are shopping or going out to eat as this ensures that the food you are consuming was not flown in or driven across the country to get onto your table. This means less fuel consumption, therefore less carbon emissions; also this helps local businesses by encouraging them to prosper in selling their food products.
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Travelling can sometimes make it difficult for you to find a power socket to plug in your phone charger. This is because the shape of the power socket tends to differ from country to country.
Thus, if you want to keep posting your pictures on Instagram and still be eco-friendly when charging your phone, invest in solar-powered phone chargers. All you need is sunlight but once the charger is fully charged, you can even charge your phone in the late hours of the night!
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Book a hotel which is eco-friendly. What this means is that you should look for hotels that dispose of their trash responsibly, have a great solution for water wastage and use electricity responsibly.
Also, ensure that the hotel is built in a way that does not harm the environment or cause any sort of disturbance to the fauna and flora of that region.
It’s an added bonus if they host things like beach clean ups!
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Layovers refer to when the plane has to land and take off multiple times, which causes the plane to use up more fuel (Planes use most of their fuel when taking off and landing).
Flights without any layovers may be more expensive. However, if you love Mother Nature and want to protect the environment, then that extra money you spend will be worth it!
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While travelling, take the initiative to clean up after yourself and get rid of any trash you have made or see lying around. This will once again reduce your carbon footprint. Remember, you should always leave a place you visit better than how it was when you arrived.
Make it a point to pick up trash that isn't yours as well, whether it be from the forest or the beach, and dispose of it correctly. That way, the trash will not seep into the ground or pollute the oceans.
Overall, our environment is important and we should keep it safe and clean. So follow these tips to make your vacation greener, and enjoy your adventures!
