When we travel, we try to make as little physical impact on our destinations as possible. We go by the rule of going out in nature: "take only pictures. leave only footprints." I know that the biggest ruiners of the earth are billionaires and huge companies, but that doesn't mean we need to add to it, especially in places we don't live.
Let's talk about ways you can do good by the earth when you travel and are contributing more to air pollution through flying and driving.
Eat Less Meat
When we travel, we often try a lot of new foods, which also includes local meats and veggies. Commercial fishing and ranching can be very hard on an environment and tourism can add to that. If you do a bit of research, you can find great restaurants that serve locally-sourced foods that are grown and raised sustainably, so you can eat the good stuff and feel good about it, too.
You might pay a little more, but if you make those places your main meals and then either eat breakfast at "home" or hit up the farmers' market near you, you can offset those costs and still feel like you're getting the most out of your trip. It also gives you a reason to eat more vegetables, which a lot of us tend to slack on when we travel.
Bring Your Own Reusable Bag
The UK and Europe have already been making people bring their own bags or pay for the flimsiest bag you've ever touched, but there are still places that use plastic bags. Because I use my own bags at home, I use them when I travel, too. We don't really buy a ton of stuff at the grocery store when we travel, but enough to get us through with snacks and breakfast items, so I bring one or two lightweight bags for our purchases.
My very favorite bag is by Nano Bag. They are so thin and lightweight and pack down into their own teeny tiny pocket, but they are heavy duty and hold a lot. I've used these for carrying around our jackets when the day gets too warm and then holding my entire grocery haul. In fact, I like them so much, that one year I purchased a bunch and put our whole family's holiday gifts in them. I always have one in my purse and one in the car for back-up, because it's always nice to have a spare bag.
Skip Mass-Produced Souveniers
Don't contribute to sweat shop conditions and the air pollution that big factories pump out. Instead, make intentional souvenir purchases wherever you go, but buying from small businesses and local artists. You'll get more joy out of it, because you'll use it more or want to display it more prominently. If you buy something as a gift, it'll show that you put more thought into it as well.
Turn Off Lights
Yes, you're paying for your time in your hotel, but that doesn't mean you have to waste electricity. When I leave my room for the day, I turn off all the lights, just like I would at home. I often put out my Do Not Disturb card, because I don't need my towels and bedding washed and changed every day. Before I check-out, we double-check that we've packed everything and we do our best to leave thing as tidy as possible, because we don't want to make more work for housekeeping.
The same goes for vacation rentals. I stack the dishwasher throughout our stay and then run one full load on our way out the door, including the coffee carafe. We turn the ice maker off, turn off all the lights, and pick up all the towels. Do I have to do these things? No, but it's nice to make someone's job easier.
Fly Nonstop When Possible
We all want to fly nonstop, because it's less annoying to have to just get on one plane and then get off at our destination. Sometimes, it's cheaper to have a layover. It's not always a lot cheaper to do it this way, so paying the extra to make your life easier is also better for the environment, too.
Carry a Reusable Water Bottle
Instead of purchasing drinks throughout the day when you're out and about, bring along a reusable bottle, so you aren't adding to the landfill wherever you go. We always bring along a water bottle sling like this one to carry it more comfortably and also hold things like flavoring, gum, and change, so my husband's pockets aren't full of random nonsense. We've used it for a battery pack, to recharge our phones throughout the day, but it has a locking zipper, so you can use it instead of a wallet, if you want.
Take Public Transportation
This is a big one. Mass transit is always the best eco-friendly option, besides your feet. Using the bus or train to get around is fun, too, because it gives you a chance to feel like you're living in your destination and you can see a lot more than you would if you just went from Point A to Point B in a car. We've seen places we were interested in stopping for on the way back from where we were going and we've met some great folks on public transportation, too.
These are just a few ways to help the environment when you travel and is by no means a full list. When you start thinking intentionally about your impact on the world around you, you find even more ways to lower your carbon footprint. Don't forget to recycle where you can, cut down on pre-packaged items, and don't litter.
What are some of your favorite eco-friendly tips for travel?
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