Unlocking Eco-Friendly Adventures Through the Power of Preparation
Photo by Daniel Thiele
If you’re a traveler who also loves the planet, you likely want to make your trips as sustainable as possible. You could use many tactics once you're at your destination to be eco-friendly, like deciding to ride a bike instead of driving a car and using a reusable water bottle instead of buying disposable bottles at the store.
However, while you might make many sustainable choices on the spot, you can maximize your positive impact by preparing far in advance. Regardless of who you choose to travel with, there’s a way to reduce your carbon footprint through smart preparation.
Look For Sustainable Flights And Lodging
Before you can pack your sustainable travel suitcase, it’s wise to plan your trip to determine what you’ll need. Start with lodgings and look for those that make it a point to prioritize sustainability. You can go with a standard hotel, go camping, or you could do something different and stay in an eco-friendly tiny home that will automatically use less energy.
When looking at hotels, research online to see if they have a sustainability policy on their website, or use Booking.com and find hotels with the Travel Sustainable badge. Do your part to make your stay more eco-friendly by bringing your own shampoo, conditioner, and soap so you don’t waste the freebies at the hotel. You can take part in towel reuse schemes and other in-house sustainability efforts to save water during your stay.
If you can’t drive to your destination or if you’re traveling somewhere on the other side of the world, then try to book a sustainable flight. Wherever possible, try to fly nonstop. The plane will use less fuel and fewer resources because most carbon dioxide is produced during landings and takeoff. You can also do your research to find an airline that uses fuel-efficient planes or sustainable aviation fuel. Typically, the newer an aircraft is, the more efficient it will be.
Then Pack Your Suitcase
When packing your luggage, one of the goals should be to lighten your load and only bring what you need. Doing so will cut down on waste, and if you and your fellow travelers pack lighter, it helps the plane because it’s not as heavy. That means it doesn't need to work as hard or produce as many carbon emissions to get off of the ground. That goes for road trips as well. The lighter the vehicle, the less fuel it has to burn to get down the road.
Be smart about what you put into your suitcase. Consider following the rule of three, where you pack only three of everything — three shirts, three pants, and three pairs of socks, and make sure the outfits all coordinate. If possible, pack clothes made from organic cotton or bamboo, which are sustainable materials that make for comfortable vacation outfits. Also, consider bringing a few of your reusable shopping bags from home. They won’t take up much space in your luggage, and you can use them to carry souvenirs or groceries, so you don’t need to use disposable plastic at the store.
Preparing For A Sustainable Road Trip
If you’re not traveling too far or you're hankering to see the gorgeous countryside, then a road trip may be the answer. A car creates less pollution than a plane, and you can bring your sustainability to the next level by renting an electric car and cutting down on fuel usage altogether.
Before you take your road trip, set yourself up for eco-friendly success by bringing your vehicle in for a tune-up to ensure it’s running at peak efficiency so you’re not wasting gas. Many vehicle parts help reduce pollution, from the catalytic converter to the air injection pump, but they must work correctly. You can take several steps to achieve this goal and make your car run smoothly, including replacing clogged air filters, using the proper motor oil, and inflating your tires to maximize fuel efficiency.
The Dashboard Warning Lights Are Key
Cars running at peak efficiency can reduce their pollution output, so paying careful attention to maintenance needs is crucial for sustainable preparation. As such, this is the time when you certainly don’t want to ignore your dashboard warning lights. They tell you if there’s an issue with your car so you can fix it and get it back to maximum efficiency. In fact, if you’re driving around with your check engine light on, you might be polluting the environment more than you mean to be.
Cars that aren’t running at peak efficiency will tell you when there’s something wrong, which could be as simple as a loose gas cap or as severe as an issue with the vehicle's emissions. In any case, check it out as soon as possible so you don’t pollute the environment or get yourself in trouble on the road. There’s also the tire pressure gauge that informs you when air in the tires is low, which means you’re not getting the best fuel efficiency. Fill them up so your car gets the best gas mileage possible. Sensors that inform you of fluid issues, like engine oil and coolant, are also essential and signify that you need maintenance before your trip.
As you can see, there are numerous ways that you can plan your next trip to maximize your sustainability efforts. We hope that these tips will give you some inspiration to help you prepare for your next trip!
Sea Going Green is a sustainable tourism consultancy working together with industry leaders to provide eco-friendly and socially-sustainable experiences that guests will love.