Eco-friendly travel: 10 tips to follow

Traveling is one of the most beautiful things in the world, but unfortunately, it is not always good for the environment.

Long-haul flights cause high CO2 emissions, sunscreen can damage endangered coral reefs, and plastic waste fills our oceans creating real islands of garbage. Even when we travel we can help our planet by making eco-sustainable choices.

So experts give us ten valuable tips for traveling responsibly, also thinking about the environment.

Offset the CO2 emissions of your travels:

various airlines, trucking companies, and other organizations such as AzzeroCO2 and Lifegate’s Zero Impact offer you the opportunity to offset the greenhouse gas emissions produced by your trip. During the purchase of the ticket, it is possible to make a donation of a few euros. This voluntary contribution is intended for sustainable projects such as forestation, agricultural projects in developing countries, or the construction of plants to produce renewable energy.

Use public transport:

an even more environmentally sustainable way to travel is to travel by public transport and in particular by train. In Italy and in Europe many cities are easily reachable in a short time with high-speed trains or fast regional trains. For internal travel, choose public transport such as trams, buses, or subways instead of a rental car or taxi.

Choose sustainable accommodation:

When choosing a nice hotel or apartment, you can also make a sustainable choice. Before booking, just check if the property has a GSTC or Green Key quality mark. These independent organizations test the sustainability of housing. Or use Couchsurfing to find a bed or room in a local home.

Throw waste and cigarette butts in the appropriate containers:

when you travel to distant countries or you are in the middle of an excursion among nature, you do not always have a litter box available. Even if it is a small piece of paper, a cigarette, or chewing gum, carry your waste with you until you can dispose of it in the appropriate containers.

Be careful when diving and snorkeling – snorkeling or scuba diving near the reef is great, but did you know that this can seriously damage this delicate ecosystem? Therefore, do not touch the corals while diving and if you use sunscreen before diving, prefer products without octinoxate and oxybenzone.

Buy used equipment:

if you are planning to go on a long journey you certainly need a lot of things, starting with a good suitcase or a resistant backpack. Don’t buy a new backpack or suitcase, but ask friends or relatives around if you can borrow anything during your vacation. Otherwise, look for second-hand bargains, it will certainly be a more sustainable and less expensive choice.

Lower your plastic consumption:

Often when traveling, you use more plastic than usual. Try to avoid these products on holiday as much as possible, especially in areas where separate collection and recycling of waste is not common practice. For shopping, take a canvas bag or backpack with you, to quench your thirst, use a water bottle made of eco-friendly material to fill during the trip, and when you order something to drink ask not to give yourself a straw.

Do not waste water:

in Italy, as in many Western countries, drinking water is the most common thing in the world, but it is not so everywhere. Limit water waste as much as possible even during your trip. Don’t stay too long in the shower, don’t let the tap run while brushing your teeth or dishes, and use the washing machine with a full load.

Avoid hiking with animals:

do you want to take a selfie with a koala, ride an elephant or cuddle a lion cub? It all sounds fun and cute, but it’s best to avoid these popular but unfriendly hikes for animals. If you want to see live wildlife, visit a wildlife park or book a tour where you can see the animals from a safe distance.

Choose a local guide:

traveling in a sustainable way does not only mean reducing pollution and animal suffering but also supporting the local population on vacation. In many countries, tourism is an important source of income. Book your tours whenever possible with a local guide and a tip is certainly not welcome!

You may also like to read, What are the benefits of organic fruits and vegetables?