There are many ways to go green when you travel, and we’ve collected some great tips and tricks. These include avoiding direct flights and reusable items, such as water bottles, towels, and local food markets.
Avoid plastic bottled water
If you’re traveling overseas, a great way to be sustainable is to avoid plastic bottled water. These bottles are often used around the world, and they’re not good for the environment.
Plastic bottled water can contain dangerous chemicals. Some toxins are even leaching into the water, which can be harmful to human health.
In addition, they’re not biodegradable. They take 700 years to decompose, which means they pollute the environment. This is a big issue for the planet.
To make matters worse, the majority of plastic water bottles are single-use. That means they’re thrown away, and then they’re added to the landfill.
While some countries have a recycling program for plastics, many don’t. It’s best to carry your own bottle, if you can. You might also want to use a reusable bottle or water filter, if available. Depending on your destination, you can find these products in a variety of styles and designs.
Using water filters is a great way to increase the quality of your drinking water. A filtration bottle such as Water to Go will help reduce chlorine and bacteria, which is great for your health. But it won’t remove viruses or other impurities.
There are also refillable bottles, which are break-resistant and vacuum-insulated. Another good choice is a stainless steel bottle. However, be sure to clean them regularly so that the bacteria doesn’t build up.
Another option is to buy iodine tablets to purify your water. Some hotels provide complimentary water, which can be a good way to attract environmentally conscious guests.
If you’re traveling, it’s important to consider your own health. Those with allergies and digestive problems should be aware of the potential hazards associated with drinking water from a bottled bottle.
Avoid direct flights
While there are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint, avoiding direct flights is probably the most environmentally responsible option. If you must fly, support carbon offset charities.
There are many methods to avoid direct flights, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution. For example, some people must travel for business, and others must travel for pleasure. Despite the best intentions, some people have to fly to get from point A to point B.
One way to avoid direct flights is to fly by train. Trains are an efficient and eco-friendly mode of transportation. Many countries in Asia have amazing train networks.
Traveling by car is also a good choice, especially for short distances. However, driving a vehicle can also have its own environmental issues. In some cases, your mileage will be higher, which means you will have a bigger carbon impact.
Another way to lower your carbon footprint is to avoid using fossil fuels. This includes both fuel and electricity. Using renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power are a good start, but you can’t rely on them completely.
Investing in a carbon offset project can help somewhere in the world, but it won’t magically fix your flight emissions.
The carbon footprint of a single long-distance flight is actually more than the average person’s carbon footprint over a year. That’s why it’s important to consider alternatives such as taking public transportation.
Taking a walk while traveling will also help. By walking, you will consume fewer calories, which means you will also have less carbon to burn. You should also plan your trips well.
Some of the most sustainable options for travel include a vegan diet. A vegetarian diet is particularly useful because it reduces the amount of meat you eat.
Reuse towels
Towel reuse is one of the most effective eco-friendly practices in the hotel industry. It can save water and detergent, while reducing replacement costs. The American Hotel and Lodging Association estimates that a 17 percent reduction in laundry loads is possible.
A recent paper examines towel reuse as a means to help travelers do their part for the environment. It focuses on market segments and reviews a range of supply and demand-side measures.
One way to increase towel reuse is to offer guests the option to skip washing their towels. Although a study published in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism suggested that washing towels less often might lead to more harm, it seems that hotels could save money and their guests’ health by offering this incentive.
Another way to encourage towel reuse is to offer door hangers or placards that explain the program. In addition to saving water and detergent, a program like this can save labor costs as well.
Hotels that provide towels for reuse have been found to be associated with luxury accommodations and economy hotels. These results suggest that towel reuse may depend on a person’s overall image, environmental awareness, and moral obligation to care for the environment.
Several studies have investigated the link between towel reuse and other pro-environmental behaviours. However, there are few that have evaluated how specific pro-environmental actions are different between a household and a hotel.
Using a survey methodology, the researchers measured the most important pro-environmental behaviours related to towel reuse. Results show that the use of towels for reuse is linked with a number of factors, including the country of origin, the type of hotel, and the amount of guests in a room.
Carbon offsetting
There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint while traveling. One such way is to purchase carbon credits. These credits can be sold to other parties. Carbon offsets help travelers offset the environmental impacts of air travel.
Some airlines offer their own carbon offset programmes. For example, Qantas offsets staff and domestic flights. EasyJet has plans to offset CO2 emissions from airline passengers. Other airlines don’t have offset programs.
If you are a business or organization, you can also take part in an offset program. Many businesses aren’t able to make as much of an impact on carbon emissions as they would like. However, a well-run and credible program can make a positive contribution to the climate.
Sustainable Travel International is one such company. They work with governments and corporations to promote travel that is healthier for the environment. The company’s projects are monitored at least once a year, and they have been verified by a third-party organization.
Carbon offsetting programs vary in cost and in details. Typically, they are calculated in tonnes of CO2-equivalents. Typical carbon offsetting schemes charge PS8 or $12 per tonne.
A more sophisticated offset scheme considers the number of passengers, class of travel, and even weather conditions. It’s also a good idea to plant indigenous trees. Trees absorb more carbon than they release into the atmosphere.
Choosing the right offsets for your needs can be a full-time job. You can consult with a specialist environmental organization to learn about the best options.
If you don’t want to buy a carbon offset, you can donate your money to an environmental nonprofit. Donations are tax deductible. But these efforts do not address the underlying causes of global warming.