10 Tips for a Sustainable Vacation

Summer is here it’s finally time to relax and enjoy the weather. And for those of you going on vacation, here are a few tips to help you be sustainable, whether you’re going on a trip across the world or having a nice staycation.

Bring a Reusable (and Collapsible) Water Bottle: Vacations call for more time in the sun and heat, and more outdoor activities. Bring a reusable water bottle when you’re playing volleyball in the park or walking through the streets of Rome. Don’t want to carry an empty bottle? Consider a collapsible bottle that you can put in your bag when it’s empty and fill it back up when you can to reduce the amount of plastic you have.
Walk, Bike, or Use Public Transportation: Walking and biking are great ways to explore new places and old places. You just might see your home in a new light. For all of you traveling to European countries this summer, many of countries and cities have great walkability and often have rideshare bikes and scooters that you can take advantage of. Too far to walk? Many of those cities also have great public transportation. Take the train, subway, or bus and experience life like the locals and maybe even meet a few while you’re at it.
Participate in Eco-Friendly Activities: Many places have great activities that you’re interested in participating in. Maybe it’s a hike through the mountains, a walking tour through the city, or a snorkeling adventure for the day. Be sure to choose companies that have reputations for environmental responsibility and even consider volunteering for a conservation project as one of your activities. It’s a great way to meet locals and connect with your temporary home.
Reuse Towels and Sheets: Hotels may offer clean sheets and towels daily. Chances are, you don’t need it every day. Consider keeping your sheets and towels throughout your stay, unless they really are dirty! This can eliminate unnecessary energy and water use for items that most likely don’t need to be changed daily. You probably don’t change your sheets that often at home, after all.
Eat Local: Food is one of the best ways to learn about a new culture. Whether it’s the type of food or the time of day, breaking bread is often an important part of a culture. Try eating locally sourced foods, fresh is the best kind anyway.
Buy Local: Everyone loves a good souvenir. Make sure to support local businesses rather than big box stores. Local stores may even lead you to meaningful relationships and insider tips on how to enjoy the city.
Stay Green: Prioritize accommodations that have been recognized for sustainability. Green hotels, hostels, or other accommodations with sustainable practices like waste reduction and diversion, water conservation, and reduced energy use can help you ensure you meet your sustainability goals.
Environmentally Friendly Toiletries: Be sure to comply with local laws and policies. Cosmetics may contain ingredients that are banned in other countries due to environmental risks. For example, sunscreens can often be harmful to aquatic environments and in Australia, they have regulations to help protect marine life.
Leave the Electronics at Home: We love our electronics. They’re fun and entertaining. And long plane rides, buses, and trains can be boring. Or maybe they’re a way to relax in the evening. Electronics also take up space, are heavy, and use energy. While having necessary electronics like phones is important for navigation, payment, checking into hotels, etc., consider leaving the video games at home. And while you’re on vacation, try to stay off your phone and enjoy being in a new place.
Travel Slow: If you have the time, try slow travel. It allows you to gain a deeper insight and connection to the place. It gives you time to form relationships with locals, experience last-minute events or events that you would have otherwise missed, and give you some downtime. It can be hard to travel nonstop and you may experience burnout. But from a sustainability perspective, it reduces the amount of planes, trains, buses, and cars you take. Less frequent traveling means reduced transportation emissions.

Summer is a great time to experience new places and make new friends. Consider some of these environmentally friendly tips as you head out on your next adventure! You may find sustainability practices interesting in other places and learn new ways to be sustainable at home.