Hey earth muffins! While the pandemic isn’t totally over yet, there has definitely been an increase in traveling again. π I don’t have too many trips planned yet, but (especially now that I’ve already had COVID) I want to book a few more vacations before the summer months are over. It is so important to be sustainable even on trips; just because you aren’t in the same place doing your daily routines doesn’t mean you can’t stick to your low waste values. Here are my top tips for staying eco-friendly while traveling!
Pack your suitcase the sustainable way!
As I mentioned in a recent post, your eco-friendly travels should start with the way you pack your bags. Interested in how to pack a sustainable suitcase? Check out my whole guide on the topic! It is essential to pack only what you need… This reduces the amount of luggage you have to carry around while also challenging you to survive with only what you pack. You’d be surprised on how little you need to have a blast on vacation! π
Opt for a road trip over air travel
Flying on an airplane is obviously not great for the planet. While a car also emits gases into the atmosphere, it is much better than air travel. If possible, go on a zero waste road trip this summer! It will most likely still be cheaper than flying on a plane even with gas prices this high. Road trips are awesome because you can find funky places to stop along the way – just make sure you turn on the Google Maps eco route feature that takes you on the most sustainable path!
If a plane is necessary, take steps to stay as sustainable as possible!
Airfare isn’t the best option, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to make it more eco-friendly if you have to fly. There are plenty of ways to zero waste an airplane flight! My personal favorites include packing your own snacks and water bottle to fill up at a water bottle station. Make sure to check carbon emissions on Google Flights before you go to pick the one with the lowest emissions!
Pick an eco-friendly place to stay
I personally like to find unique Airbnbs to stay at as it adds a bit of character to the trip! π There are also more ways to be eco-friendly in an Airbnb compared to a hotel… But sometimes a hotel is the only option. Don’t worry; Google has an eco-certified hotel search that allows you to pick one that aligns with your sustainability values. A win-win for everyone (and the planet) involved!
I don’t know about you, but I’m super excited to get back out there and travel post-pandemic. It can be harder to stick to your eco-friendly methods on the road (and in a different place); I hope this post showed you that it is possible to stay eco-friendly while traveling. Regardless if you are taking a road trip, flying to a new country, or having a staycation at an Airbnb, you can still be sustainable this summer! π Where will you be traveling? Comment below and let me know how you stay eco-friendly while on vacation.
Love,
Jenna β₯
These are really wonderful suggestions! Thank you so much for sharing them. <3