In today’s day and age knowledge of the environment and sustainability is vital, with eco-friendly and zero-waste living becoming the norm.
Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden boast the most eco-friendly cities in the world, and are continuing to strive for better. With the holiday season upon us, it is important to remember that no matter which country we travel to, limiting our environmental impact is a must. Here are some of our advisory tips to adopt when travelling on holiday to make your trip an environmentally friendly one.
Make your holiday eco-friendly
First, how are you travelling to your holiday destination?
Did you know that planes are the worst form of transport in terms of the impact of greenhouse gases per passenger mile? If your journey is to a neighbouring country, why not consider other forms of transport like train or coach… you might save yourself a few pennies too!
Sitting on the beach sweating from the heat of the sun, participating in outdoor activities or strolling through the town doing some sightseeing – a freshen up before going out in the evening is essential. As a nation we are known to shower more frequently on holiday than at home, probably because we’re not really acclimatized to warmer weather!
The first step to a greener shower time is to assess the products you are using. Eco-friendly, plastic-free shop-bought products are great but how about making your own?
For a natural and plastic free bubble bath combine the following ingredients in a blender and decant into a glass bottle for use:
Ingredients:
1 cup sweet almond, olive or sesame oil
½ cup Honey
½ cup Neutral liquid soap
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Before every use, remember to shake thoroughly to mix the ingredients back together.
If you are strapped for time and take a shop-bought shower product with you, it is important to consider the appropriate locations to use it. If you are on a beach make yourself aware of whether the water is going straight into the sea or being transported elsewhere. If the water is being discharged into the sea, avoid showering until back at the accommodation if possible, therefore saving the ocean from unnecessary chemicals.
If you really want to push the environmental boat out, then another tip is to consider your accommodation in depth. Look for hotels and other accommodation with effective waste treatment systems, that recycle, are energy efficient and, where possible, use environmentally friendly energy sources such as solar energy or hydroelectric power.
Although ecological impact on holiday is key for the season, it is important to remember that this isn’t limited to just being abroad. Consider some of these easy alternatives when at home too.