{"id":19057,"date":"2018-06-18T11:09:41","date_gmt":"2018-06-18T09:09:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/?p=19057"},"modified":"2019-02-04T17:06:36","modified_gmt":"2019-02-04T16:06:36","slug":"travel-eco-friendly-save-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/travel-eco-friendly-save-money\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Travel Eco-Friendly AND Save Money"},"content":{"rendered":"

What are the best ways to help the environment when you travel? In this guide you will discover how to enjoy travelling while being eco-friendly and saving money at the same time.<\/h3>\n

A carbon footprint<\/strong> is defined as the total amount of greenhouse gases produced to, directly and indirectly, support human activities. This is usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The key phrase here is \u2018directly and indirectly support human activities\u2019. What it means is that people may or may not know that what they\u2019re doing is harming the environment. Everyday activities like driving your car, cooking your food, keeping your home warm or cold, and everything else in between all add up to your carbon footprint.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s true that you should be looking for ways to help the environment<\/strong> from your home. However, what if you\u2019re not at home? Specifically, what if you\u2019re out travelling<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

This guide will talk about things that you can do to still enjoy travelling while being eco-friendly and saving money<\/strong> at the same time. But first things first, ask yourself if you really have to travel and be away from home.<\/p>\n

But if you made up your mind that travelling is how you want to spend your holidays, then go wild. Before you do, however, take some time to go through the following tips to sustainable travelling.<\/p>\n

Pre-travel preparations<\/h2>\n
\"How
Pre-travel preparations, via pexels<\/div><\/div>\n

Sometimes, or probably most of the time, you tend to spend a lot of money before the actual date of travel. That\u2019s because you impulsively buy things which you think you need. New clothes, shoes, luggage, fancy hotels and restaurants at your destination \u2014 all of these add up to your expenses.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t have to buy brand new clothes in the first place. You\u2019re going to a foreign place, and the people there wouldn\u2019t care how you\u2019re dressed (as long as it is appropriate for the native culture). Shopping for secondhand clothes<\/strong> at charity shops, for instance, will save you a lot of money.<\/p>\n

Another thing that most people forget is what they\u2019re leaving behind when they travel. That\u2019s right! Don\u2019t forget about your home, especially what\u2019s inside your fridge. Consume all the food if possible and avoid overstocking your refrigerator<\/strong> with supplies that will have been spoiled when you come back.<\/p>\n

If this is not possible, freezable recipes are the way to go. This will ensure that you have delicious food on the table for when you get back. At the same time, bring packed food with you, so you don\u2019t have to spend extra money when you\u2019re on the plane. Do these things, and you\u2019ll find yourself saving money by avoiding waste.<\/p>\n

Avoid (or reduce) air flights<\/h2>\n
\"fly\"
fly, via pexels<\/div><\/div>\n

The average American alone has a carbon footprint<\/strong> that exceeds 20 tonnes (Source: Human Footprint<\/em>, National Geographic Channel). That\u2019s how much of an impact one person has to the environment, so imagine the combined impact worldwide. One big contributor to a person\u2019s carbon footprint is by flying<\/strong> on a plane which, unfortunately, is something that cannot always be avoided.<\/p>\n

Flying has become a part of everyday lives but little did you know that it\u2019s a major environmental polluter. Since it can\u2019t be avoided, the only choice that you have is to reduce your impact. This can be done by choosing less short-haul flying and booking a flight with an airline that has a higher capacity and more efficient aircrafts.<\/p>\n

If you must get the service of a travel company<\/strong>, choose one that meets the \u2018green credentials\u2019. Responsible Travel, Intrepid and Exodus are perfect examples of such companies. If unsure, it\u2019s best to ask whether or not the company that you plan to book with promotes sustainable development, environmental awareness and support for local communities.<\/p>\n

In recent years a new trend of slow travel<\/strong> has been growing, and the number of people who say no to the\u00a0plane<\/a><\/strong> to experience the real thrill of\u00a0journey (by train, public transport, on foot or by bicycle) is becoming a trend. So why not try the slow travel on your next vacation?<\/p>\n

When you arrive at your destination<\/h2>\n
\"How
When you arrive at your destination, via pexels<\/div><\/div>\n

Try camping instead of staying in a hotel. This will save you a lot of money and will cut your carbon footprint as well since you don\u2019t have to use as much electricity for heating or cooling. Just make sure you stay in designated camping sites as it can be illegal to pitch in certain places.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a different story though if your hotel is an eco-friendly one. How would you know? Look for an accommodation with the Ecobnb web site<\/a><\/strong>, the platform that connects eco-friendly hotels<\/strong>, B & B, holiday homes and ecological farmhouses (there is also the free Mobile App<\/a> available). All the accommodation facilities listed on Ecobnb have at least 5 of 10\u00a0important\u00a0environmental requirements<\/strong>: for example energy 100% from renewable sources, organic and local food, reduction of water consumption, natural detergents and promotion of soft mobility… and after the stay you can leave your own review<\/strong> on the eco-friendly attention you noticed in the hotel. Alternatively, you can find a hotel asking\u00a0for waste treatment systems, recycling programmes, energy efficiency initiatives and even the use of solar energy or hydroelectric power.<\/p>\n

Keeping yourself and your kids safe when travelling is high priority, so if you\u2019re heading to the beach, don\u2019t forget your sunscreen. However, choose a coral or ocean-safe sunscreen. Otherwise, these sunscreens will destroy coral reefs<\/a> when washed away from your body. The good news is that it\u2019s easy to find the right sunscreen \u2014 check the label.<\/p>\n

Important tips to\u00a0Travel Eco-Friendly<\/h2>\n
\"Important
Important tips, via pexels<\/div><\/div>\n

Here\u2019s a few more tips to help you save money<\/strong> on your eco friendly travels:<\/p>\n