20 ways to be a more eco-friendly traveller

The tourism industry has done wonders for communities all across the world: tiny villages have been transformed into some of the most sought-after destinations, and whole countries have blossomed as a result of their growing popularity among foreign visitors. However, this rising obsession with travel has caused about as much damage to our planet as it has development, with countless flights taking off each day, all sorts of harmful holiday activities being run, and ever more species making their way onto the 'endangered' list. How, then, can we explore the world in a more responsible way? Keep reading to find out my top twenty tips.

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Transport

It’s no secret that the transport industry is accountable for an enormous amount of environmental damage. If you fly regularly – or ever travel, by land or sea, in a vehicle with an engine – you’re contributing to the problem. Here, however, are the best ways to minimise your personal impact on the planet.

Fly with eco-friendly airlines

If you’ve got to fly to your destination, it’s a good idea, at the very least, to do so with an eco-friendly airline. These companies will do things like:

1. Charge extra for hold luggage (heavier planes require more fuel, so it’s a good sign if passengers are dissuaded from adding to their overall weight)

2. Use more eco-friendly planes (jets that run on less fuel, for example, or that are better streamlined)

3. Serve only vegetarian and vegan food (the meat industry, as I’m sure you all know, is exceptionally destructive to the environment)

4. Recycle passengers' waste (still not very common, but some organisations are definitely working on it)

It will take you no more than a Google search to find out which airlines meet these criteria, and by booking tickets with them, you’ll be making a significant difference to your overall carbon emissions.

Take direct flights

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out than one direct flight causes less pollution than multiple connecting ones. Things can admittedly work out cheaper if you break up your trip, but is it really worth destroying the environment, just to be a few pounds richer? Plus, do you really want to be wasting time sitting around in airports during your layovers, when you could already be exploring your end destination?

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Pack only hand luggage

As I said above, the heavier a plane is, the more fuel it requires to fly, so unless you’re heading off on a really long trip, pack light and don’t put anything in the hold. There’s only so much luggage you actually need to take on any one holiday, and if you’re going to be near a washing machine during that time, you can’t even use the whole ‘I might run out of stuff’ excuse. If you’ve really got to bring heavy suitcases, see if you can share them with one of your travel companions: you’ll save some money this way, too! (For tips on how to pack more efficiently, check out this article I wrote a few days ago!)

Don’t fly

If you want to be extra eco-conscious, don’t fly at all! Swap planes for trains, and enjoy a greener, less stressful journey, with ever-changing views. (The sight of clouds gets old pretty quickly: let’s be honest.) Alternatively, book a seat on a coach, and cut down on costs, as well as carbon emissions.

Use public transport while you're there

If, during your holiday, you need to travel over long distances, try to avoid doing so by car, and instead, make use of any available public transport. Not only will you be sharing your journey with a greater number of people – meaning that your individual environmental impact is reduced – but also you’ll be helping to contribute to the local economy of the place you’re visiting.

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Drive with other people

If you’ve absolutely got to drive, try to make sure you’re never the only person in the vehicle. Travelling with a group? All use the same car, even if it means that some of you have to perch suitcases on your laps. Away on a solo trip? Use a carpooling app or website, and offer spare seats to other people heading in the same direction as you. You’ll get a bit of extra cash, and you’ll be helping to keep the number of vehicles on the road to a minimum.

Walk or cycle whenever possible

If you’re only travelling over short distances, wave goodbye to public transport, and make use, instead, of your own two feet. There’s no better way to get a feel for a place than by walking around it, plus you’ll get a lot of exercise in, without even trying. If you’re in a bit more a rush, hire a bike: most cities are now equipped with cycle lanes, and, since you won’t be waiting around in any traffic jams, you may find that this is actually the quickest way to get from A to B. Just remember to wear a helmet!

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Accommodation

The environmental impact of travelling doesn’t stop at transport. The accommodation you choose – and the way you behave while you’re staying there – is also an important factor. Keep reading to discover how you can make your downtime as green as possible.

Stay in eco-friendly accommodation

If you’re looking to be a more responsible traveller, there’s no better place to stay than in an eco-friendly hotel. Saving the planet is – thank heavens – becoming much more of a popular movement, so now, more than ever, is the time to start booking beds in places that support this campaign. Look out for features like solar panels and recycling bins, or go to the next level, and stay somewhere that’s off the grid. You’ll get used to the composting toilets in no time…!

Turn everything off when you go out

It can be tempting, especially if you’re staying in a hot place, to leave the air conditioning on full blast while you’re out sightseeing. However, this also a great way to waste masses of energy. Turn it off, then, and if you're sweltering when you get back to your room, cool off with a freezing shower. The same applies for lights and plug sockets: there’s no need for them to stay on if they’re not being put to any use, and the former will only attract bugs.

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Use freebies

If you get any freebies in your accommodation – I’m talking shampoos, cosmetics, gadgets, etc. – make sure to use them. Hotels tend to throw away any unused items like this (after all, even if you haven’t touched yours, the staff are still going to want to put out fresh products for their next guests), and this, of course, leads to unnecessary landfill waste. If certain freebies aren't to your taste, take them home for your friends and family to enjoy!

Recycle your waste

No matter where you are in the world, it’s really important to separate any rubbish you accumulate. If you only have one bin in your hotel room, don’t let the laziness get the better of you. Instead, do some research, and find the closest recycling point. It’s small actions like this that will make the most difference.

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Out and about

It’s also important to be responsible while you’re out and about. Whether you’re whizzing from sight to sight, or spending all day on the beach, here are some of the things you can do to help the planet.

Don’t engage in activities that harm the environment

It goes without saying that if you want to protect the environment, you need to steer clear of all activities that have a detrimental effect on it. Skydiving, for example, may look like great fun, but there are plenty of ways to seek thrills that don’t involve burning gallons of jet fuel. By all means try out new things, but always think twice about the impact your actions will have.

Respect the local wildlife

Along with this, make sure to respect any local wildlife you come across. Don’t stray from any designated pathways, don’t terrorise any animals, don’t trample on any plants, and don’t spoil any natural habitats with litter. In addition, if you engage in activities like snorkelling, be sure to remain a deferential observer throughout, and don’t be tempted to touch anything along the way.

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Leave every place as you find it

Travelling means being a guest in another place. You wouldn’t leave your friend’s house a tip if you went to stay with them, so don’t leave any sights you visit in a state either. Take all your rubbish away with you (or throw it in the bins on site), and make sure that inch of land you visit looks just the same as it did before you arrived.

Limit your use of plastic

If there’s one material that poses a huge threat to the environment, it’s plastic. Cutting down on your consumption of the stuff is, then, a great way to help look after the planet. Say no to plastic straws (replace them with long-lasting metal ones, or just drink from the cup as you would normally), buy food in recyclable packaging, and switch plastic bags for reusable ones.

Eat local produce

Whether you're planning to cook all your meals at home, or would prefer to eat out every night, try, as much as possible, to consume locally-sourced foods. Do your grocery shopping at markets, rather than supermarkets (the produce is much less likely to have been imported from afar), and book tables at independent restaurants. Not only are these more eco-friendly courses of action, but also your food will likely taste a lot nicer and fresher.

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Shop at boutiques

In addition to this, make sure to shop in boutiques, rather than chain stores. This way, you’ll be purchasing products that haven’t travelled far to reach the shelves, and you’ll be helping to support local businesses. Plus, independent shops tend to be the most interesting to browse, and are often more affordable than their high-street counterparts.

Volunteer for an environmental organisation

One of the very best things you can do while travelling – even if you just have one day to spare – is to volunteer for an environmental organisation. There are so many companies out there, looking to make the world a better place, and all of them are on the constant lookout for enthusiastic workers like you! Whether you want to try your hand at organic farming, look after endangered animals, or help replant rainforests, you’ll be sure to find a gig that’s up your street, no matter where in the world you are. (For tips on how to land any volunteering job, check out this article I recently wrote!)

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After your trip

Your holiday may have come to an end, but you still have a couple more responsibilities left. Here are the final two things you should do to wrap your eco-friendly travels up.

Offset your carbon footprint

Looking to reverse the environmental damage of your trip? Be sure to offset your carbon footprint by donating to an appropriate charity. Many airlines give you the option to do this when you’re buying tickets (usually at only a small extra cost), but my advice would be to wait until you’ve got back home. After all, only then will you know exactly what you got up to while you were away, and how much you now need to make up for.

Leave reviews for other eco-conscious travellers

Another important thing to do after your holiday is to leave reviews of places for other eco-conscious travellers. Put in a good word for all the institutions you felt were doing their bit to fight climate change, and warn people against supporting the organisations that you perhaps didn’t find so honourable. Your advice will doubtlessly be invaluable to countless people across the globe.

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It’s 2019, so start going green!

So there we have it: twenty ways to be a more eco-friendly traveller. If you already do most of the things on the list above, congratulations, and keep at it! If you haven’t been so responsible in the past, don’t beat yourself up about it. Instead, concentrate on adjusting your lifestyle accordingly, and thinking seriously about the impact your actions are having on the environment. Now is the time to change your ways and start going green. Our world is, after all, such a wonderful place to explore, and we must do everything we can to protect it.

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