Tips for Traveling the World the Eco-Friendly Way

When wanderlust hits you, it’s quite easy to grab your bag with some travel-sized toiletries and your favorites travel clothes. However, one of the things to keep in mind when traveling isn’t just to make sure that your carryon luggage meets the airline weight limits but it’s also a good idea to try to stay eco-friendly while going on a trip. After all, going eco-friendly helps preserve the world so that other travellers can also enjoy these destinations in the future.

Everything you do leaves a carbon footprint so it’s your responsibility to make this as minimal as possible. These travel tips not only help you stay green, but also help you save money. It’s not enough to reuse your towels and sheets when checking into a hotel or shutting off the lights and air-conditioning when you are out. There’s so much more you can do to stay eco-friendly when on a trip.

Whether you’re hitting the beach, hiking on trails, packing for Europe or going on a road trip, here are some things you can easily do so that you can help take care of Mother Earth, as you trek your way around the globe.

Here are some tips for traveling the world the eco-friendly way to keep in mind before you take your next journey.

Keep your house in mind
When you’re getting ready to leave, prepare your home to use a minimal amount of energy. Don’t leave your freezer and refrigerator stocked to the brim so you don’t have to use as much energy keeping food you won’t be eating any time soon anyway. Unplug your TV, DVD player, lamps and other electronic devices. Letting your post-office and your newspaper delivery know you won’t be around isn’t just for security reasons, but it also helps save on fuel and energy delivering things for you that you won’t even get to see or use till you get back in town.

Plan properly
If you allow yourself enough time to plan a trip, you can create an itinerary that saves on time, money and energy. If you’re visiting multiple cities, visit those that are close together rather than flying around all over the place. Opt for airlines and planes that are more fuel efficient, such as those that use Boeing 777 or the Airbus 345. You may even choose to take a train or go backpacking rather than flying when your next city is only a few miles away.

Watch your trash and go paperless
Book online whenever possible and if possible, don’t bother printing your ticket. You can always download it on your smartphone. When out on the road, leave only your footprints behind and take your trash with you. Instead of buying maps, download one on your smartphone or tablet. Also, print only the pictures you really want to save or frame, and upload the rest online.

Go reusable not disposable
It’s tempting to buy travel size containers of your favorite products, but it’s more eco-friendly to simply use reusable containers and transfer what you need for your trip. Bring a stainless bottle with you and refill with water from your hotel rather than buying bottled water along the way.

Choose wisely
When packing your products, choose brands that are biodegradable. Detergents, shampoos, body soaps and shampoos now come in biodegradable versions, without synthetic fillers, sulfates, harmful dyes and other harsh chemicals that dirty up our oceans.

Opt for hotels and lodges that are eco-friendly, such as water saving toilets and showers. There are a number of green hotels you can find online. You’ll sleep better knowing you’re doing your part to stay green.

You may even opt to go geo or eco tourism destinations. According to National Geographic, geo-tourism destinations around the world include Norway, Romania, Mexico, Montreal, Honduras and Arizona, among other places.

Go local
One of the benefits of travel is that you get to experience the life the way the locals live it. Buy local products and support local industries and artisans. Stay away from fastfood restaurants and instead try out the local cuisine prepared with the freshest native ingredients so you can help reduce fuel emissions that are typically used to transport food. Shop for produce and goodies from the local farmer’s markets. You’ll also end up supporting local vendors and businesses.

If you really want to go local, try exploring your own country rather than flying to an international destination. It’s more fuel-efficient and you help your local economy at the same time.

Don’t pose with the animals
It may be tempting to have that souvenir photo with that exotic animal while on safari or visiting a zoo, but many animals kept in captivity may not necessarily be treated humanely. Let your dollars do the talking for you and avoid supporting such activities.

Choose your souvenirs wisely
That amazing ivory figurine or that jade necklace may have come from an endangered specie or over-mined region. Don’t buy wildlife products, no matter how exotic the souvenir may be because you could be inadvertently supporting illegal activities, especially poaching.

Use your feet
Walk whenever you can instead of using a cab. Walking around a new city will help you appreciate and discover sights you may not see when on a tour bus or in a fast moving vehicle. If possible, go sailing, biking or backpacking rather than flying. Why rent a car when you can use public transportation? You may also try guided walking tours.

Take only pictures
You don’t need to bring home that fine sand, shell, rock or driftwood as a souvenir when traveling. When diving, stay away from the coral reefs, which are essential to the marine ecosystem of an area. The best memories are preserved on digital film or in your mind. Even slightly altering the natural ecosystem can have devastating and long lasting effects over time.