When it comes to travelling sustainably, a little can go a long way. Careful attention to every step in your holiday curation—from where you go, to how you get there and what you pack—can help you offset your carbon footprint by a great deal. Climate change skeptics may dismiss greencationing as a fleeting travel trend, but, as the years have proved, it’s definitely a lifestyle choice that is here to stay. Alongside treading light on the planet, eco-conscious travelling helps in actively creating value for the locality and communities you visit. Consider these four, easy ways to help you be kinder to Mother Earth on your next holiday.

1. Stay loyal to local

Not only will shopping, eating, and experiencing local culture contribute to the community you visit, it will also reward you in more ways than one. Checking yourself into the neighbourhood coffee shop is a likely means of serving a local business as well as contributing to the local economy by consuming locally-and seasonally-produced ingredients. Regional farmers’ and street markets are often the cultural artery of travel destinations, and for good reason…they give a chance to interact with native vendors—who frequently bring interesting backstories of their business, eat freshly-grown produce, and tap into the history of a place.  

2. Plan ahead for sustainability

Not all holiday destinations and means of transport are created equal, especially not when it comes to their contribution to sustainability. If you can’t swap flying for a train or bus, book with an airline that has lesser carbon emissions than others, fly economy to take up less space, take a direct flight, and watch out for carbon offset programmes when planning your itinerary. Once you have checked in, you can reduce your carbon footprint by switching from Uber to cycling and walking tours. 

When it comes to choosing an eco-friendly destination, look beyond the annual sustainability indexes. Walkable neighbourhoods, designated bicycle lanes, burgeoning local culture, volunteering opportunities, and a steady track record of responsible tourism are a few signs and green flags to keep an eye out for. 

3. Choose your accommodation wisely

Checking into the right hotel warrants a pat on the back for your sustainability efforts. Substitute the chain of hotels for a local provider or an eco-lodge, but make sure to do your research to avoid being greenwashed by commercial establishments. Our advice? Pay attention to venues that are certified by credible environmental organisations such as EarthCheck or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and those that are committed to giving back to the local community. Once there, you can go the extra mile in your ecological endeavours by maximising your towel reusage (alternatively, you can carry quick-dry towels that can be reused within a few hours), remembering to switch the lights off while leaving the room, and utilising any available bike rentals and shuttle services. 

4. Carry your favourite reusables 

How you hydrate yourself matters just as much as how well you hydrate. From glass to stainless steel water bottles, there’s a range of eco-friendly, plastic-free alternatives that can double up as a cool accessory or even a beverage flask. Kleen Kanteen, S’well, Larq, and Hydro Flask are just a few of the many well-known brands when it comes to versatile, well-designed bottles you can consider. Another travel must-have is a foldable tote—dump your shopping in it or carry it to the beach. If you’re deeply committed, you can also bring your own reusable cutlery set—complete with a straw, fork, spoon, and even chopsticks.