Okay, so I’ve been trying to be way more eco-friendly lately, and that includes how I travel. It’s a journey, for sure, and I’m definitely not perfect, but I wanted to share what I’ve been doing and how it’s been going.
Packing Light is Key
First up, I packed way lighter than I usually do. I used to be the queen of “just in case” outfits, but I really challenged myself this time. I picked out clothes that I could mix and match, and I stuck to a color palette so everything kind of went together. I rolled my clothes instead of folding them, and it actually saved a ton of space! I don’t buy it. I also used those packing cubes, which helped compress things even more.
- Less weight means using less fuel for the car or flight, it’s an easy way to reduce carbon emissions.
Transportation Changes
This was a big one. Instead of automatically renting a car, I looked into public transportation options. I used apps to find bus, train, and even bike-sharing programs. I found out that in some places, it was actually way easier and faster to take the train than to drive and deal with parking. Who knew? And when public transport wasn’t an option, I tried to walk as much as possible. It’s good exercise, and I saw so much more of the places I visited.
- I avoided air travel. Air travel can be the most energy-intensive means of transportation.
Reusable Everything!
I loaded up on reusable stuff. I brought my own water bottle, coffee cup, shopping bag, and even a set of reusable cutlery and a straw. It felt a little weird at first, carrying all this stuff around, but I quickly got used to it. I filled up my water bottle at water fountains, and most coffee shops were totally cool with using my own cup. I even found a few places that gave a small discount for bringing your own cup!
- Reduce waste. Single-use plastics are a major source of pollution.
Eating and Accommodation
I tried to be mindful of my food choices, too. I looked for local restaurants that sourced their ingredients locally. And I shopped at local markets when I could, rather than buying pre-packaged snacks. For accommodation, I looked for hotels or hostels that had eco-friendly practices, like using solar power or having recycling programs. I booked a hotel and confirmed it.
The Result!
Honestly, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be! It just took a little bit of planning and a willingness to change my habits. I definitely felt good about making more sustainable choices, and I saved some money along the way, too. Like I said, I’m still learning, but I’m excited to keep improving and making my travels even more eco-friendly in the future!
