What is Eco-Friendly Travel? Being Prepared
So you’ve decided you want your future vacations to be eco-friendlier? Congratulations! Not sure where to start? No problem, we’ve got you covered. Approaching travel with a more sustainable mindset isn’t all that different than attempting to reduce your carbon footprint in everyday life -- you’re just attempting it in unfamiliar territory and on the move. The best way to ensure that you are making eco-conscious decisions is to be prepared. It’s like meal-prepping -- it’s way easier to eat healthier when you’ve got the healthy options laid out in front of you already! Below are three easy steps to help prepare you for your next vacation and help keep it sustainable.
Step One: Do Your Research
A lot of research goes into planning a trip, and even more so when planning ahead for the most sustainable options. The biggest questions anyone asks while planning a trip, responsibly or not, are: How am I getting there? Where am I staying? Where will I eat? How am I getting around?
Now, I’ve outlined some important things to keep in mind when making these decisions from an eco-friendly approach.
What is More Eco-Friendly? Planes, Trains or Automobiles?
These are the typical options we are presented with when booking transport to our next destination, so it’s important to find what the most sustainable and viable options are available to you.
If you’re not new to this site, or to eco-friendly practices, then you likely already know that planes are often the least sustainable transport option. When air travel can’t be avoided, try to book non-stop whenever possible, or research how you can purchase carbon offsets based on distance traveled to reduce your carbon footprint.
If you are not bound to air travel, then consider driving! Road trips are a fantastic way to experience even more on your trip, such as scenery, local life, etc. If you are traveling a long distance, plan routes and travel times that allow you to use cruise control to reduce gas emissions.
If you are in a country or region with a train network, consider that as well, especially if there are electric train options. Trains are another great way to experience scenery without the stress of driving.
Is My Hotel Eco-Friendly?
Once you’ve arrived at your destination, get a better sleep at night knowing you’ve prioritized sustainability with your lodging choice. Vacation rentals, such as airbnb, are great ways to reduce emissions, even more so than some “eco” hotels. If the pickings for these are slim or too expensive in your destination, just be sure to do some digging when choosing a hotel. Look out for LEED certifications and poke around on websites to see what sustainability efforts the hotels you’re interested in are taking. Check out our Eco Hospitality Map for some options in your destination.
Where Am I Eating?
If you’re like me, this is one of the most important questions I ask myself when planning a trip -- experiencing local cuisine is one of the most pleasurable parts of traveling. However, I have a set of criteria that I do my best to ensure each restaurant meets before I make my reservations. Firstly, are they locally owned? Prioritizing visits to locally-owned restaurants, shops, etc. is a great way to know that your dollars are being used to boost the local economy and thereby the community as a whole. Secondly, are the ingredients sustainably sourced? When I’m planning, I look for farm-to-table restaurants that use local, seasonal ingredients. This means that the food likely had to travel a short distance, thereby causing low emissions, and supports more local business. If the restaurants you’re interested in aren’t farm-to-table, look on their website for information about sustainable ingredient-sourcing. Another great way to make sure your food plans are eco-friendly is to prioritize vegan restaurants and plant-based eating during your travels. There are tons of fantastic vegan restaurants that whip up plant-based masterpieces that are equally as flavorful and satisfying as omnivorous meals.
How Am I Getting Around?
Regardless of how you arrived in a destination, it’s also important to be aware of resources that can help you get around the area you’re visiting in the most eco-friendly way. Even if you drove, seek out public transportation in your area. It’s a great way to people-watch and get insight into how locals live while reducing carbon emissions. If public transportation is limited, I’m sure you’ve seen the electric scooters and bikes popping up in cities all over the world. When I lived in San Diego without a car, hopping on a Bird scooter to get around was as eco-friendly as it was fun! If you need to rent a car in your destination, opt for a hybrid whenever possible.
Pro Planning Tip: Once you’ve got your transport, lodging and meals decided, program them into a Google Map for your trip! By having all your designated spots readily available on the map, you’re less likely to forget your plans and stray from these well-researched, sustainable decisions!
Step Two: Pack Your Snacks
Many of the grab-and-go options at airports (even the healthy ones) come with bags, wrappers, napkins and plastic cutlery. To avoid relying on these while traveling I always pack a little Tupperware container with snacks -- things I actually look forward to eating (cheese, nuts, dried fruit, homemade cookies, etc.). If you pack snacks you crave, you’re less likely to succumb to the airport alternatives!
Step Three: Put Your Reusables to Re-Use
If single-use plastics aren’t public enemy number one, they sure are close, and airports and planes are rife with them. Whenever packing for a trip, I make sure I have what I call, The Trifecta of Reusables:
Reusable Coffee Cup
Empty reusable water bottle
Reusable bag
Once I get through security, my next stop is to fill up on coffee and water before I board, which prevents me having to rely on plastic bottles and cups on the plane. These don’t break down EVER and account for some of the most commonly reported trash on beaches around the world. You no longer have to oblige the polite flight attendant by accepting the splash of water in a single-use cup (not like it’s enough to keep you hydrated in all that recycled air anyway!). The bag, in particular, comes in handy as it allows you to decline plastic bags at airport stores and shops in your destination! If you need more motivation to pack reusable items, check out this list of reusables so trendy and cute you’ll never think twice about packing them!
With these simple preparations you’re well on your way to being an earth-conscious traveler. Need a reminder? Download the FREE Earth Regarded packing list here and save a screenshot to your phone to refer back to before your next trip.
So, where to next?