Tips for Sustainable Travel

Tread Lightly,
Travel Sustainably.

What does sustainability mean to you?

We all know that our everyday activities have an impact on the environment around us, and travelling - whether within the same country or abroad - can have a big impact.

With that said, you don't need to make big changes to reduce your impact. If everyone makes some small changes, they'll all add up to something big!

Take a look below to see some of our top tips for sustainable travel.

ESG and Sustainability
Starfish
Tips for Sustainable Travel

Tread Lightly - Tips for Sustainable Travel

Bye bye plastics.

Did you know that it can take up to 20 years for a plastic bag to decompose in a landfill site?

Switching from single-use plastics like bags, takeaway coffee cups, water bottles, and straws to reusable alternatives is one of the easiest changes to make.

Not only will using sustainable materials in terms of reusable bags, coffee cups, and water bottles reduce waste going to landfill; but there can also be financial benefits too. Many coffee companies now offer a discount when you bring your own mug.

Every drop counts.

You may think that as water covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface that there's an endless supply, but this isn’t true. More than 99% of this water is unusable for humans and other living things.

Making small changes to our water-using habits can save litres of water and can contribute to water sustainability. One easy habit to break is leaving the tap on whilst brushing your teeth. Think of all the water we'd all save by turning our taps off!

Also, taking showers instead of baths saves more water. You could even try the ‘navy’ approach of turning off the water whilst lathering up and then turning it back on to rinse, so long as you keep these showers short! A long shower can easily use twice the amount of water, which could be invaluable to someone else.

Transport - by foot and other means!

No matter your destination, there are many ways to get from A to B in a more sustainable way. Using public transport is a great way to travel, as you get to see the place you're visiting. The impact on the environment per passenger is less than a single person driving a car (unless it’s an electric vehicle!).

If your travel plans involve flying, consider this – the carbon footprint when using business class is around three times more than flying economy class. And talking of footprints, the most environmentally friendly way of travelling is, obviously, walking! Why not walk to your next destination and explore the area around you?

Other sustainable transportation ideas include cycling - use your pedal power for the planet!

The lighter, the better.

We've all done it. Packed for a trip including everything but the kitchen sink, but never getting through all the clothes in the suitcase.

Consider the trip you're about to make: do you really need that chunky, heavy jumper? How about swapping it out for lighter items that can be layered?

Not only will a lighter suitcase be easier to carry, but the heavier the suitcase, the more fuel will be needed when travelling by train, plane, or car.

In this case, sustainable swaps really make sense!

Save your energy.

Have a think about the number of electronic devices we take with us on our travels – laptops, mobile phones, tablets, smart watches – to name just a few. These items all need charging, which requires electricity. As a traveller, you'll have no control over how this energy is produced, but you can still do your bit to contribute to energy sustainability.

Even little changes make a difference. Only charge your device until the battery is full rather than leaving it plugged in overnight. Shut down your laptop at the end of the day rather than closing the lid. Both these changes will help save energy. Also, don’t forget to turn the lights off in rooms that you aren’t using – it all helps!

Keep it local.

Staying in a location that you've never been to before? Why not take the opportunity to try out the local cuisine? Buying from a local market is not only a great way to meet the locals, but also an opportunity to try locally-produced food that has travelled less.

Not only will buying these foods help the local community and contribute to its economic sustainability, but there are health benefits from eating fresher produce that hasn’t travelled far. Eating at local restaurants is a great way of sampling the delicacies of the area and helping independent traders. Sounds like a win-win situation – for you, for the environment, and for the local economy.

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