You can do your sustainable thing while travelling, and offset some of your carbon footprint with these tips from Courtney Ennor.
Travel is one of the world's most unsustainable industries, which unfortunately conflicts with the fact many of us want to go out and see the world, party on an exotic island and experience historical marvels.
Being constantly on the go makes it tricky to stay sustainable. Storage room is all but non-existent when you're living out of a bag — which is literally bursting at the zip.
Living green can be difficult when you're staying in a community that may not have the consciousness or infrastructure for sustainability.
Here are a few tips for the sustainably inclined, whether you're about to become a backpacker, nomad or just a tourist. They are easy to implement and will help you minimise waste while saving money. We can't take our composting worms and bulk food glass jars away with us but we can take knowledge and tips that will keep us on the straight and narrow while hopping between countries.
Packing your own large drink bottle from the outset will stop you buying plastic bottles on a day out. It can be tempting to purchase a 60c icy bottle of water when you've been walking all day in blistering 35C heat and you just can't find the damn Colosseum. Best to take an insulated bottle so it will stay cold all day long.
Pack your reusable bottle and food container in your backpack, says Courtney Ennor. Photo / Courtney Ennor
Mojito, hold the straw
When it comes to buying cocktails and drinks out, three words will do it: "No straw, thanks".
This means you can down as many drinks as you want without feeling like you just killed a baby turtle. If the bar or festival only uses plastic cups, order your first and keep getting that same cup refilled. This may get a little harder after the first four drinks but hey, at least you're trying.
Shop and don't drop
One more thing to squeeze in your pack; a fabric shopping bag. Since plastic bags will soon be a thing of the past, keep up the boycott and bring your own bag to the shops even in a new country. Reusable mesh produce bags don't take up much room in your pack either, meaning you can use them at a supermarket or the local markets for fresh produce.
Bringing your own set of cutlery will save you from buying one-use plastic cutlery when you are in transit and is also great for when you're at a curb-side restaurant in Vietnam, you've ordered the Pho but drinking the broth really just won't cut it. Preferably a set of cutlery where the fork, knife and spoon are all attached. Available from most camping/outdoor stores.
Take away don't throw away
Packing Tupperware can help you save money on eating out but it will also save you from creating waste. Tupperware that folds into itself would be the best option. You have more incentive to make your lunch for the next day for times when you know you're about to spend 12 hours cramped on a bus and your only option would be packaged gas station food. Pre-pack a meal; save money on lunch, save on waste, then fold it away again. Even take your tupperware to the supermarket when buying deli foods, to take-away stores, bakeries or sushi shops.
Extra tip: bring a reusable sauce container; prevent buying single-use plastic sauce pots or soy sauce packets.
A transportable washing line will not only save you money on dryers but also save unnecessary energy — especially handy if you are travelling around in summer. Portable washing lines are available at most outdoor stores. Even cheaper to DIY it and buy elastic and hooks.
You can hook the line between bunk beds or from the door handle to the bed. Easy as.
Sisterhood of the travelling chiller bag
You are moving from country to country, hostel to hostel, weekly if not daily. At the start of your travels; a great (and cheap) investment is a chiller bag from the supermarket usually around $2-3. Build up your base grocery items without having to throw them away between each country.
Store sauces, herbs, bread; the necessities in the chiller bag and store in the fridge at each hostel.
Are gimmicky souvenirs really the best reflection of our trip? If not authentic, they are disposable waste we really don't need. If the temptation persists ensure it's a local stall or business by chatting to the owner or checking the tag. Seek out products made from materials the country specialises in — the further they have travelled the bigger environmental impact. Buy loved ones something consumable or locally sourced and practical they may actually use — not a mass-produced Eiffel tower keyring.
We can't be 100 per cent sustainable eco-warriors 24/7, it's not feasible when travelling. We can make little changes in the way we pack, the way we visit and the way we leave the places we explore. Be mindful and change your habits even when you aren't in your normal routine and help those around you do the same.
