Sustainability is on the minds of many consumers today. Most
choose ways of lowering their energy usage to help the environment and to save
money. Sustainable travel is another way that you can promote environmentally
friendly living. If you are thinking about taking holiday soon, there are a few
ways that you incorporate sustainable travel into your plans.
1.
Shop locally – Using local products and services
is among the best ways that you can travel sustainably. Many regions offer
local vendors that provide everything from food to wonderful native souvenirs.
Ask about the origin of what you are purchasing to ensure that it comes from a
local region. Try to avoid products that are made from threatened natural
resources such as endangered species. Ask vendors if they offer goods that are
manufactured locally before you purchase
2.
Walk – Anytime you can give your car a rest you
are helping the environment. Take walks or choose public transportation when
you travel. If you are on holiday, walking can be a wonderful way to see the
sights and what the area has to offer. Check on bike rentals or simply take a
bus where you need to go if walking is out of the question.
3.
Remember the 3 R’s – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
are the R’s that you should keep in mind. Products that are overly packaged are
a prime example of waste. Choose products that require little packaging and get
as many products as you can into one carrier bag. You could even purchase or
take along your own recyclable shopping bags to cut down on waste. If you use
containers that are recyclable then be sure that you are putting them into the
proper recycling bins when you are finished. When preparing your travel equipment, always go light and focus on the essential
4.
Conserve energy – Saving energy is essential in
protecting the environment. While many consumers conserve energy at home, they
give little mind to it when traveling. Sustainable travel is all about helping
out in any way that you can. Turn off lights when you leave a hotel room and
keep thermostats at a steady temperature. Just because you are not paying the
energy bill does not mean that you can’t help to save energy.
5.
Reduce your carbon footprint – Airplanes are
always going to be in the air. The simple fact is that in today’s world, flight
is a necessity. You can help to offset carbon emissions when flying however by
packing lighter which in turn makes for a lighter flight so airplanes will use
a bit less fuel. There are many other ways that you can reduce your carbon
footprint when you reach your destination. Taking walks or participating in
low-carbon activities will make a much bigger impact than you may think.
Conserve water – Turn off the tap in your hotel room when you are not using it. For instance, if you are shaving or brushing your teeth, turn the tap off until you absolutely need water. Taking shorter showers will also help to conserve water. The fact is that the more people who actively participate in sustainable travel, the better the overall environment will be