Extend your eco regime into your holiday, with these tried-and-tested travel tips.
As a regular traveller, it dawned on me recently quite how much waste I create as I nip around the world. Never mind the carbon footprint from the plane journey itself, there’s the trail of waste I leave behind from take-away coffees, convenience lunches, shopping and travel. I hate to admit this, but I always felt less responsible when I was travelling; like it wasn’t really my problem. However, recently all that changed, and I have spent the last year or so cleaning up my act – wherever I am in the world.
So, now that I am reformed, here are my tips for any travellers journeying off in 2019. I hope they make all the difference (and perfect sense!)
Reduce, reduce… then reduce some more
I had gotten pretty good at carrying a reusable bottle and bag around with me here in Malta, before I realised I could easily take them on holiday with me too. I am now the proud owner of one of the world’s best-travelled water bottles, coffee cups, tote bags and reusable food boxes. From the UK to Japan, I keep those nifty items in my backpack and they serve me well, so I never have to take my coffee away in a disposable cup or accept a disposable bag when I am shopping.
Bonus: most airports have water refill stations, so you can fill your empty bottle once you get through security and take it onto the plane for free hydration at 30,000 feet!
Say ‘no’
We’ve all seen the horror videos: plastic straws up turtles’ noses and fish eating plastic bags that they think are jellyfish (and we then eat the fish). It’s not a great cycle – especially when you consider that most straws and bags are chucked away after just a few minutes of use. The most effective way round this is to say “is that plastic? Then no thanks,” when you’re offered one. The positive result is twofold, as you’ll reduce your own waste while also alerting the retailer to the fact that single-use plastic is no longer OK. A large number of Maltese companies have actually stopped dishing out plastic in favour of paper alternatives. That’s an improvement but it’s still waste, so it’s best to turn down anything you don’t need if you can manage without it.
Enjoy local
Yes we love living in a cosmopolitan world where we can eat whatever we want regardless of where we are on the planet, but eating local is so much more sustainable. With that in mind, use you visit to discover which local ingredients are currently in season, and enjoy them like the locals do. This gives you a better taste of home-grown cuisine while supporting local farmers and businesses. Plus, you could choose to buy local, handmade or artisan products, rather than those that have been imported. These have a lower carbon footprint than goods that are flown in, and make a nicer memento for yourself and your loved ones as gifts.
Live eco
If you wouldn’t run the bathroom tap endlessly or leave the air-conditioning on at home, why do it while on holiday? You may not be footing the bill in the same way, but our resources are still finite. When on holiday, you can save water by having showers instead of baths, and can save electricity by putting the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on your hotel room door if it doesn’t need cleaning. This cuts down on chemical cleansing agents, electricity used in vacuuming, and the washing of bed linen. Also, remember to turn off the TV and lights, and to turn off the heat or AC when you’re out. You can also go one better, and choose a hotel or apartment that’s been built with eco sensibility or energy saving ideas in mind.
Think outside the box
Finally, while flying may be the only viable way for you to get to Malta, there are eco options for travelling around when you’re here, incuding using a bike, bus, car sharing system, or water taxi. The added bonus is you’ll get to see even more, while reducing carbon emissions and (probably) saving money.
Happy eco travelling!
Do you have any other eco travel tips to share? Please add them in the comments below!