10 eco-friendly actions to adopt while traveling

Responsible tourism means leaving a positive impact not only on the environment but also on the people living in the places we choose to visit.
This results in not only a more ethical and responsible travel experience regarding travelers' impact but also a more authentic, exciting, and culturally immersive journey for them as well.
Here's a quick guide to some of our best tips on how to be a responsible traveler. 10 eco-friendly actions to adopt during your next vacation... Small, simple eco tips to avoid waste, recycle as much as possible, and limit damage to nature and people, in short, responsible consumption that will only benefit our planet.

#1 Travel Locally

Traveling with a local guide will allow you to learn more about the local population, its culture, the landscape, and its wildest and most wonderful places by hiking, biking, or sailing with a local expert. And it's a fantastic way to support the local economy. In many countries, from Kenya to Sri Lanka, poachers have changed their way of life by becoming reserve guardians or guides.

#2 Reduce Means of Transport

Think practical, so let's reduce greenhouse gases. If possible, favor train transport over flying; you'll enjoy the scenery more... Find out about carpooling platforms that will allow you to make great encounters and reduce polluting gases...

Finally, don't forget that small trips are quite enjoyable on foot or by bicycle, combining pleasure with physical activity...

#3 Save Energy

The price of your accommodation includes electricity consumption, but that's no reason to indulge freely by leaving the window wide open and the heater unnecessarily on full blast... Consume wisely and use air conditioning, heating, and electrical appliances only when necessary and in moderation; finally, remember to unplug them...

#4 Reduce Water Consumption

Save water! It's precious; it gives life... Water is a vital resource and often scarce in tourist destinations. During your holidays, prefer showers over baths (taking a bath is roughly equivalent to taking three showers), avoid letting the tap water run, and opt for drinking tap water (when possible) using water bottles. If you're staying in a hotel, don't have your towels washed every day!
One of the simplest eco-friendly actions to adopt!

#5 Minimize Your Waste

Bring environmentally friendly products with you, especially if you're traveling off the beaten path. This means ecological sunscreens, soaps, deodorants, etc., if you want to keep the environment as intact as you found it. Especially if you'll be spending a lot of time in the water.
Only take what is necessary, leave unnecessary packaging at home. In many destinations, selective sorting doesn't exist. If it does, find out about waste sorting instructions at your vacation location (bin colors, collection times...) and respect them as much as possible. Remember that locals don't appreciate tourists destroying their environment so adapt yourself.
A tip: try to reduce your household waste as much as possible; for example, prefer a water bottle over a plastic bottle, use rechargeable batteries and remember to keep a reusable bag with you.

In Japan, there are very few public bins; do like the Japanese and take your trash with you!

#6 Respect Your Surroundings

Act out of respect for others and especially for the beauty of sites. Ensure beaches remain pure, picnic areas clean, and preserved sites stay that way. Don't throw anything into nature, not even organic waste (peels, paper tissues, toilet paper...) that could disturb the ecosystem; invest in a portable ashtray for your cigarette butts and reduce your consumption of toxic products such as insecticides, aerosols, tanning oil...

#7 Consume Locally and Shop Wisely

If you're eco-responsible at home then why not on your vacation spot? Always refuse plastic bags by always carrying a reusable tote bag with you. Consider buying from locals and consuming seasonal fruits and vegetables while necessarily favoring organic and short supply chains. You'll only discover more new flavors and often encounter meaningful memories.

In further destinations, be careful about what you buy. Do not purchase products made from endangered species, hardwoods or ancient artifacts. Shells and corals should also stay where they belong; if you're considering buying gemstones locally check the legality and ethics of this practice before leaving.

#8 Travel Off-Season

The attendance of top tourist spots varies depending on the seasons; some sites suffer from mass tourism causing ecosystem consequences. So if your schedule allows it why not travel during low season, some sites will even offer unique services possible only off-season allowing you more enjoyment of local charm...

#9 Favor Eco-Friendly Structures

Remember that tourism professionals increasingly offer equipment and services combining comfort with ecology marked by ecolabel logos (in Europe) ATES or ATR worldwide through small gestures like waste treatment using low-consumption bulbs they aim at raising awareness modifying our behaviors don't hesitate asking them if they provide bike rentals biodiversity discovery walks or unusual accommodations... They can also guide you towards prepared walks marked trails allowing enjoyment fauna flora whilst respecting environment.
Some destinations are pioneers in this field like Galapagos (learn more), Costa Rica or Patagonia.

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a post shared by EcoCamp Patagonia (@ecocamp) on Nov 8th 2018 at 12:44 PST

#10 Try Participatory Tourism

And if you're tempted why not get involved in an environmental protection action or social action? Find out about gatherings offered by local associations proposing participation specific maintenance tasks: collecting waste plastic bags beach cleaning seabed awareness tourists supporting popular education project... You'll make great encounters enrich knowledge subject.

You understand nothing too beautiful blue planet rich wonders terribly threatened so let's act environment rather react develop civic sense added gestures result only beneficial environmental challenges huge adopting these eco-friendly actions eco-citizen behaviors act faster against climate change preserve best our natural resources discovering new natural spaces superb aquatic environments opens minds don't miss essential adopt good gestures think future generations.

Photos
(c) Mana Amir – unsplash
(c) Sasin Tipchai – pixabay
(c) fancycrave – unsplash
(c) Zhang Dayong – unsplash
(c) Agathe & Mathieu – #WeCanGoAnyWhere
(c) Muriel D
(c) Hasan Almasi – unsplash
(c) Antoni Socias – unsplash