Ways to Reduce Your Travel Footprints


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Traveling is great fun, but can come at a cost to the environment. It is essential that we take care of the resources we currently have available to us and not deplete them all together. To reduce your footprint on your next journey, here is a list of things you can do!
 

Eat at Sustainable Restaurants

When traveling, you might not always be able to buy groceries and cook your own food, but you can eat at sustainable restaurants. Such restaurants directly get their food from local farms which cut down carbon emissions from unethical and irresponsible farm practices as well as transportation emissions. If you are traveling within the U.S., check out these two websites to find some great sustainable dining options near you: https://www.eatwellguide.org and https://fishchoice.com/sustainable-seafood-restaurant-finder.

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

While traveling, it may be difficult to take shorter showers or use less hot water especially after a long day. However, another way to save water on the go, counterintuitive to traveling light, is using a reusable water bottle. When traveling to another country with undrinkable tap water, you may want to purchase a large water bottle from the store and refill your own reusable bottle as needed. By refilling your water instead of replacing your water bottle, plastic usage is reduced and so are carbon emissions.

Unplug Appliances

While living in hotels and traveling from one place to another, it is essential to unplug appliances prior to leaving the hotel room. Unplugged devices continuously use energy to keep functioning and stay turned on. Appliances to take extra precaution with for this reason include: air conditioning, heater, ice maker, coffee maker, and hair dryer.

Use Public Transportation

When possible, use public over cabs and car rental. An alternative to public transportation is carpooling with friends or people from the hotel. This not only saves money, but also reduces the amount of gas and energy required for individual cars.

Ride a Bike

Many big cities have now started using the bike rental programs where you can use a bike to get from one location to another and park it there to enjoy the day hands-free. Riding a bike can lower emissions and make traveling highly energy efficient. For more information regarding your destination’s transportation infrastructure, check our Pre-Travel Information feature on our Mobile App: http://www.globaltravelplus.com/Global-Travel-Plus-Mobile.aspx and www.globaltravelplus.com.

Fair Trade Clothing

While traveling, it may not always be possible to buy products that are sustainably made, but you may be able to find clothing labeled “fair trade.” These types of clothes are made sustainably and can reduce the energy emissions output during the manufacturing process. An alternative to sustainable clothing, is shopping at secondhand stores or thrift shops at the place of your travel. Your cart may not be filled with new and packaged items, however the items may last you longer than the time of your travel.

Buy Natural, Locally-Made Products

The rule of thumb is that you should be able to properly pronounce every ingredient you add to your food. This rule should be applied to your skin as well as the ingredients are being absorbed in through your skin. Buy products that are hand-made and not a result of chemical manufacturing, which may also decrease the chances of any skin reactions occurring during your travel. People should also buy souvenirs that are sourced and produced naturally and locally as they will not be made through carbon exerting processes.

Remembering to follow through with a couple of small actions can create a lasting change on the environment. While traveling, we cause a lot of wastage as we dine outside most nights, buy new products when we run out, and use gallons of fuel for travel. However, following these easy steps can make your travel more energy efficient and reduce your travel footprint.

 
Posted: 7/6/2018 12:00:00 PM