22 Apr 18 Ways You Can Become A More Conscious Traveler

It’s #EarthDay2021 and we’re celebrating with this post, trying to encourage some more conscious traveling. Whether you’re planning a local staycation, have a business trip coming up, or reading this in the future (hello post-COVID reader 👋) we’re rounding up some of the best ideas for how you can become a more conscious traveler.

Recent times have forced us to take a long hard look at our lifestyles, which has brought some (much-needed) optimistic changes into the atmosphere, and as we all celebrate Earth Day this month, we thought we’d inspire some easy and quick changes you can make today to be more thoughtful, more conscious, and definitely more loving to our planet.

Side note: although these practices are aimed at travelers, you can still absolutely follow (most of) them whilst at home!

18 Ways You Can Become A More Conscious Traveler

Aim To Eat A More Plant-Based Diet

We know not everyone is ready to give up meat entirely, because that Spanish cured ham is just too good. Or maybe you identify as a ‘Travel Vegan’, avoiding meat products except when you’re in Italy and want to try the gelato. Wherever you are in your meat-eating journey, if we all aim to do our best to eat less meat and meat products, then we’re doing what we can. Like Michael Pollan puts it so eloquently, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Some wise words to live by, not only promoting a healthy body, but also a happier planet.

Stop Buying Plastic

Packets, bottles, toys, souvenirs. Plastic is everywhere, and if we all make a conscious effort to avoid it, the planet will thank us. Simple as that.

Choose Better Souvenirs

You don’t have to bring back yet another trinket from the airport shop. If you’re wanting to gift loved ones back home with some of your adventures, why not look at other ways – like adopting an orphaned elephant or supporting a local artisan. The Two Dusty Travellers have some other great ideas for conscious souvenirs as well, so have a read here.

Don’t Buy Once-Offs

Whether it’s the coffee cup at the cafe beneath your hotel, or a mask to have on your flight back home, invest in reusable products that you don’t throw away immediately after using them. These reusable items can also make great gift ideas (see point above). Who wouldn’t want to receive authentic chopsticks from Vietnam or Japan?!

Opt For Biodegradable Products

In the case where you need to buy once-offs, such as food packaging or wet wipes, try support brands and retailers that offer biodegradable options. If we all support them, then it’ll force the non-bio brands and retailers to rethink their strategies (and we’ll be helping the bio start-ups which will in turn help them on their mission to help the planet).

Use Caring Sunscreen

It you’re heading to Mexico, Indonesia, Australia or any other incredible sunny spot, avoid over-the-counter sunscreens containing UV-filtering oxybenzone and octinoxate, and opt for ones which support marine conservation.

Recycle

It’s probably the easiest thing we can do. When at the airport or train station, use the correct color-coded dustbins, and if you don’t have a recycling option in your hotel room or Airbnb, ask the hotel manager or host about it. If we all ask enough times, it’ll get the owners thinking about it too.

Call Out Those Who Don’t Follow Sustainable Practices

Slightly linked to the point above – if your hotel, Airbnb, restaurant, retailer or train don’t offer biodegradable products, recycling bins, and keep serving you your cocktail with a plastic straw – call them out. If we all have something to say, eventually they’ll listen.

Support Small Businesses Following Sustainable Practices

Whether at the souk or market, shopping mall or your favourite e-commerce store – look for the small guys doing it right. We promise to shed some light on the most incredible artisans and small businesses we’ve come across on our travels soon – our shop is evolving, so watch this space!

Buy Local Where Possible

If you have the option to support the Pole in Poland, the Greek in Greece, and the Canadian in Canada, then do so. You’re not only helping the local economy by doing this, you’re also choosing the least destructive way of getting your product or produce.

Buy Seasonal

Most authentic cafes and delis will naturally offer items on their menus that are in season, so let them guide your food choices. But don’t stop there. Educate yourself on the fruits, vegetables and plants in season, so that when you’re back at your Airbnb cooking your own pasta, you know to make a sauce using tomatoes and eggplant in Summer and broccoli or squash in Winter. Here’s a handy guide to get you started on your seasonal shopping spree.

Volunteer At An Eco Project And Support Voluntourism

Why not use your holiday time and curb your cultural cravings by choosing to live with a local family, supporting them with an eco project? Maybe your time abroad can be used for good, and you’ll walk away having made a real contribution. Find a charity or organisation that perhaps could benefit from the skills you have, and see if you (like us) can make lifelong friends. Here’s a helpful guide to responsible voluntourism.

Switch To Slow Fashion

Don’t get conned into believing that you need yet another vest or pair of budget sneakers (they’re more than likely produced in a sweaty factory that churns them out on an hourly basis, and chances are they won’t last longer than your trip). Choose more expensive items that you know are either handmade or have been crafted in a sustainable fashion. Yes, you’ll pay more for it now, but if it lasts a lifetime (or at least long enough to feel like it) you’ll be saving way more than those couple hundred bucks.

Choose Land Travel (When You Can)

Whether it’s #vanlife that appeals, or you’re hoping to finally jump aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway (when it’s safe to do so again, of course), try to avoid flying in airplanes where you can. Trains are still very much the most eco-friendly forms of transport, but of course they’re not available everywhere, so do what you can and read more here.

Choose Responsible Tour Operators

Your hard-earned travel savings will speak volumes when you support the companies that are making a difference. Here’s a helpful guide on how to find a responsible tour operator.

Choose Eco-hotels

Slightly linked to a couple of the points we’ve already mentioned, but by choosing where you spend your money, you’re ultimately dictating which companies will be around in ten years time. Do your research, and find hotels and hosts that have the same amount of love for our planet as you do.

Choose Only Ethical Animal Encounters

Cruelty-free animal encounters have been a huge topic of discussion over the last few years, and it definitely feels like we’re making some progress. Here is an excellent article on how you can be kind to animals on your travels, but the simplest way is really to avoid any place or encounter that is promoting animal shows (of any kind), and rather invest time in the parks and sanctuaries that really just let wild animals be wild animals. 

Read These Books

We’ve compiled a collection of some of our favourite planet-loving books to help you be a better and more conscious and responsible traveler. Check it out here.

As a closing note, we just want to say that we know it feels really tough to be a good human lately. Everyone is trying to remind us that we can be better, eat less of this, buy more of that, when sometimes all we really want to do is just be. Well, we don’t want this post to make you feel any more anxious. It’s simply a reminder that small things make a difference, and if a lot of us do a lot of small things, suddenly big changes come into play. 

C&S

Have any other ideas for how we can all become better travellers? Drop your suggestions in the comments below!

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