Alright, so everyone’s yapping about “eco-friendly” this and “sustainable” that. I figured, let’s actually try one of these so-called eco-friendly day trips myself, see what all the fuss is about, and if it’s actually doable without turning into a massive headache.
Setting the Scene – Or Trying To
First off, I decided this wasn’t going to be some fancy, pre-packaged “eco-tour.” Nah, I was going to do it my way, keeping things simple. The main goal? Leave as little trace as possible. Sounds easy, right? Well, let’s see.
My planning started the night before. I looked around my kitchen. I knew I needed to pack snacks and a drink. Instead of grabbing a plastic bottle of water from the shop on the day, I dug out my old reusable one. Gave it a good wash. Then, I thought about food. Pre-packaged sandwiches? Nope. Too much plastic. I decided I’d make my own.
The Nitty-Gritty of Packing
This is where I really started thinking. I remembered some advice I’d seen floating around: “Get some reusable straws and toothbrushes, for example. Reduce your family’s trash as much as possible.” Okay, toothbrush wasn’t needed for a day trip, but the principle stuck. So, I packed:
- My reusable water bottle (filled with tap water, imagine that!)
- A couple of sandwiches I made, wrapped in beeswax wraps instead of cling film. Found those online a while back, pretty handy.
- An apple and a banana. Nature’s own packaging, mostly.
- A small cloth napkin. Felt a bit posh, but better than paper ones.
- A reusable coffee cup, just in case I caved and wanted a hot drink somewhere.
- A small bag for any rubbish I might create, though the plan was to have none.
Felt like I was preparing for an expedition, but it was just for a day out nearby.
Getting There – The Green Route
Next big thing: transport. Driving my car was out. Obvious reasons. So, I checked the bus schedule to a local nature reserve I like. It meant getting up a bit earlier, and yeah, the bus isn’t always the quickest, but it felt like the right choice. I even walked to the bus stop instead of getting a lift. Every little bit, eh?
The bus ride was actually alright. Got to look out the window, didn’t have to stress about traffic or finding a parking spot. That alone was a win.
The Day Itself – Low Impact Fun
At the reserve, I just walked. Enjoyed the fresh air. Sat on a bench to eat my homemade sandwiches. Drank my water. The apple core and banana peel? I decided to carry them back home for the compost bin. Didn’t fancy leaving them, even though they’re “natural.”
I did see a little cafe there. Was tempted by a coffee, and that’s where my reusable cup would have come in. But honestly, I was fine with my water. Saved a few quid too.
The whole day was about just being there, not consuming much. No souvenirs, no impulse buys from a gift shop (they always get you with those). Just walking and looking.
The Aftermath – Or Lack Of It
When I got home, I unpacked. My “rubbish” bag? It had one used bus ticket in it. That was it. Seriously. My beeswax wraps just needed a wipe down. Water bottle went into the dishwasher. Cloth napkin in the wash.
It kind of hit me then. It wasn’t actually that hard. It just took a bit of thinking beforehand. And you know what? I didn’t feel like I’d missed out on anything. If anything, the day felt cleaner, simpler.
Why do I even bother telling you all this? Because I reckon a lot of folks think “eco-friendly” means expensive gadgets or big, dramatic lifestyle changes. But for a day trip, it was just about a few small choices. Packing a lunch, taking the bus. Stuff our grandparents probably did without even calling it “eco-friendly.” They just called it “normal.” Maybe we’ve overcomplicated things. My little experiment proved to me that it’s not about being a perfect eco-warrior, but just trying to be a bit more mindful. And honestly, less rubbish to deal with at the end of the day is always a bonus in my book.
