Do you have a trip lined up?
We are happy you opened our blog post on eco friendly backpacking!
This is a subject which we could dig deep on. There’s SO much you could do to make your trip as green as can be. Today, we’re sharing a big-picture overview to give you some food for thought for your next adventure.
First things first:
Here’s a speedy packing checklist: a handy reminder of some common things you may need if you’re hosteling, B&B’ing and hoteling:
* See the items with a little leaf icon next to them? That means you can get a discount on these products on the Random Acts of Green app!
Learn more about travel products and our travel checklist through the buttons below.
And here are our top 7 Green Acts for making your travel adventure as eco-friendly as possible.
#1. Transportation
Alas, there is no such thing as a ‘green’ flight … yet.
But you can make your flight a smidge greener by doing the following:
- Bring one bag with you; it makes a small (sadly, very small) difference if there’s no extra weight and no extra vehicle trip needed to move your bag between plane and terminal.
- Purchase carbon offsets if you’re in a position to do so! These can really help reduce the environmental impact of flying.
- Bring your bamboo cutlery and skip the wasteful plasticthrowaways on the plane.
- Take the train or bus instead whenever you can.
- If it’s safe, and you’re with friends, carpool!
- Rent an e-vehicle when possible.
- Tour through a city on a bicycle instead of using a cab!
A note on cruise ships:
While the allure of a jaunt on the open seas is appealing, cruise ships are not the most ideal mode of transport for your eco friendly backpacking adventure.
A cruise ship is almost like a floating township: It’s estimated that 25,000 gallons of sewage waste is dumped per cruise ship a day.
An average large-scale cruise liner emits 0.43kg of CO2 per passenger mile, compared with 0.257kg for a long-haul flight.
In addition to the environmental issues surrounding cruise ships, large boats of all shapes and sizes affect wildlife patterns. After a 21-month absence in Alaska due to the pandemic, bay’s whales appeared to prosper.
#2. Accommodations:
While this won’t always be viable depending on your location, we hope this gives you some ideas for your next vacation digs.
- Are you vegetarian or vegan? Look up plant-based locations (they’re a thing and they look fabulous).
- Research eco-lodges which run with nature. They utilize solar power and water-saving technologies.
- Consider hotels and inns that pride themselves on their eco and social practices, like our friends do in the Pacific North West: Adrift Hospitality.
Bonus tip: Wherever you are, if room cleaning and towel turnover is offered, don’t let it happen. You wouldn’t wash your towel everyday at home, so why indulge on holiday? Hang your ‘no need to clean’ door sign. Save the water and the power!
#3. Be the true you:
Keep up your own personal standards while travelling. For example, if you recycle at home, don’t let your good personal habits slide while on vacation and throw recyclable goods in the trash.
Keep a look out for recycling bins. If your accommodations don’t have them, ask about it or leave a review. Be the voice of change!
Another great example of staying true to yourself is to remember your reusable coffee mug. It’s great for both caffeinated beverages and drinks at the bar (where some places still use single-use plastic cups and straws).
#4. Personal care:
As with above: Stay true to your home standards when it comes to personal care.
For example: Don’t reach for the disposable makeup wipes just because it’s slightly easier.
And consider the chemicals you may be washing into local waterways. Did you know that around 6,000 tons of sunscreen finds its way into oceans and streams each year?
Look for eco-friendly options. Our members The Green Beaver have a wonderful mineral sunscreen which is chemical free. It’s also a lotion: Spray-on sunscreens tend to disperse harmful chemicals into the air.
Travel Tip: Opt for shampoo bars over bottles. The perks mean:
No plastic;
No worrying about bottle size at customs; and
No leaks!
If you’re an RAOG App user, cash in your green points and get 25% off Nature’s Aid Shampoo Bars.
#5. Eat locally:
You’re on vacation in a new-to-you place. Enjoy some new-to-you foods and drinks that are home-grown and local to the area.
The perks of eating at unique or locally owned restaurants:
- You’re supporting the local economy;
- The locally grown produce will most likely be organic, cheaper and with less packaging;
- You’re minimizing the importing fees and transportation pollution caused by non-local goods.
#6. Avoid single-use paper:
Download maps and destinations on to your phone in advance of travelling. Doing so will allow you to avoid the printed hotel maps and brochures.
The same can be said for tickets and passes to attractions.
#7. Forgo the attractions or souvenirs:
Consider what you pick up for friends and family at home.
For example: Some souvenirs made using seashells are prepared using oil and acid. Take a peek at this excerpt from a National Geographic article:
If you are a collector of souvenirs, support local makers and local artisans. Ask questions about how things are made, and if you’re in doubt: don’t buy.
Socially: Skip attractions that exploit animals. This might include:
- Monkeys or birds posing for photos.
- Camels, elephants, donkeys and horse-drawn carriages carrying you across landscapes or up-and-down city streets..
- Dolphins, sea lions or whales performing in aquariums or at harbour fronts.
If you’d like to connect with local wildlife: visit or volunteer at a sanctuary instead!
Do you have friends who like to travel?
Share this blog post to your socials and inspire change.
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