How to Travel Sustainably: A Guide to Planning, Packing, and Vacationing
pc: Studio Ghibli Spirited Away
Roughly 100,000 planes take off and land daily all over the world, there are about 289 million cars driven in the U.S., and at any given moment, there are about 55,000 merchant ships at sea. Horses (brought to the Western hemisphere by colonizers), the development of the steam engine, the automobile, and air travel changed the way that humans from different geographical regions interact with each other. Some argue that we should chill on the constant movement. Naturally, humans were only ever meant to travel on foot. Prior to colonization and the Industrial Revolution, we explored the earth at a much slower pace. Not to mention, the travel industry is responsible for about 8% of the world's carbon emissions and 1.3 billion tons of waste are produced every year solely by tourists.
But as sustainable* daddy Mark Twain once said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness… Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." He really ate with that one. Travel should be used as a tool for learning, appreciating, and connecting with people and cultures outside of your quotidian life!
With that being said, the mindful approach we encourage in every aspect of our lives also applies to travel. Not to say we don’t believe in travel for fun, because how would we cope with the toils of American life if we couldn’t escape. It serves to say, your travel should be intentional and you should always spend time thinking about why you want to travel and where you want to travel to. We should see the world if we can, respect the spaces we find ourselves in, all while minimizing the amount of carbon we emit and waste we create!
Note: this guide is based on the average (depressing) 11 days of paid-vacation most (not really) workers in the United States are supposedly granted.
*We actually have no information as to whether or not Mark Twain was a sustainable daddy. The effects of the Industrial Revolution weren’t apparent at the time. Though, Huck and Jim did travel down the Mississippi on a raft, emitting almost no CO2.
Decisions, Decisions: Where Are You Going and How Are You Getting There?
The less distance you need to travel, the less carbon you will emit getting there. The most sustainable travel location is the one nearest to your home base. Think about opting for an in-state or in-country vacation. Perhaps you can get creative and dabble in the art of the staycation. This way, you can take a train or carpool to your destination. If your destination is close enough that you could either drive or fly, the more sustainable choice depends on the size of your travel party.
Carbon offset tickets have become a buzzword in the realm of sustainable travel, but the effectiveness of this travel method is questionable. Carbon offsetting refers to the practice of compensating for the greenhouse gas emissions produced during a trip by supporting projects that reduce or remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, like reforestation or renewable energy initiatives. A recent article by the New York Times found that “in most cases, carbon offsets do not capture or reduce real emissions. While the effectiveness of carbon offsetting undergoes investigation, the best and most trustworthy choice at present is to look into the ethics and sustainability practices of the airline you’re traveling with and make an informed decision to choose a more sustainable company.
If you do decide to travel internationally, opt for a location that is ethical to visit or encourages sustainable tourism. For example, native Hawaiians have been urging tourists for years not to travel to Hawaii as it contributes to the displacement of Hawaiians, perpetuates a colonized narrative of Hawaii, and further encourages the government to prioritize tourist dollars over the well-being of Hawaii and its indigenous people. If you’re set on a tropical trip, choose a mainland location, like the Florida Keys. If you’d still like to travel internationally, visit Palau, a country which requires visitors to “sign a passport pledge to act in an ecologically and culturally responsible way on the island.”
Pack Your Bags! We’re OOO.
Packing well is the first step to minimizing the amount of waste you produce on your trip. You don’t want to buy things you could’ve easily brought from home! But if you need, you can read our list of 11 Sustainable and Plastic-Free Travel Essentials to Help You Reduce Waste. Either way here are some tips to reduce your waste:
Avoid buying travel minis: The small size of the containers make them nearly impossible to recycle (according to US infrastructure anyway). If you’re only allowed a carry on, bottle up your home products into small reusable bottles or take bars like Ethique’s shampoo and conditioner bars! If you have checked luggage, take the whole damn thing!
Reusables are your besties: There are so many reusable travel options out there, like Baggu . But it’s always best to use what you have; delicates bags, dust bags, or shopping totes double as functional luggage organizers if you don’t want to or need to buy new ones.
Pack light, pack well: you probably don’t need 38 pairs of underwear for a ten day trip. This won’t just help to minimize stress over the number of items you need to keep track of, but will minimize the amount of laundry you have to do when you get back home.
Pack the essentials: we’ve curated a list of susty travel essentials to guarantee a seamless and sustainable packing process ;)
Bare Minimum Toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, moisturizer, SPF, soap, and cleanser. Don’t forget your medications and other emergency first-aid items.
Possibly bug spray, but you can make your own!
Comfortable Shoes: you’ll likely be doing a lot of walking and sightseeing, so pack a pair of shoes that can support you through 10,000+ steps!
Your Fave Sweater: the weather can switch up on you no matter where you are (and hotel ACs can be VIOLENT) - pack your favorite hoodie just to be safe.
Plan your outfits: plan your outfits around pieces that you’ll be able to rewear in multiple different ways. Choose to pack rewearable pieces based on your knowledge of your body, smell preferences, and the climate you’ll be in. And considering the fluctuating weather, make sure to pack light layers.
Invest in Sturdy Luggage: luggage is expensive, but if you have the means to invest in durable luggage, we highly recommend it, like Paravel. Sometimes it feels like airlines are trying to break our luggage on purpose…err on the safer side to avoid having to buy new luggage right after your trip.
Planning Ahead
It goes without saying that you’ll need to plan out your vacation, but these are just a few things that often go overlooked and can lead to unwanted waste or unintended disrespect.
Choose a susty stay: resorts are a popular choice for travel stays, but they are often owned by not so susty people and liberally waste water. These are a few options you can choose, but do some research to find the most susty option for you and your travel needs:
Hostels: Hostels are a great place to meet other travelers and they are usually very good about sharing resources like food or even transportation. Many hostels also offer women-only dorms.
Airbnbs / Rentals: a great way to save money on food is to plan to cook for yourself. If you do plan to cook instead of eat out, choose an Airbnb or rental option owned by a local.
Eco-Hotels: Research eco-hotels in the area! These can take the shape of hotels that are built in nature (as opposed to on top of it) or hotels that use solar and wind power to operate.
Plan to Eat: when you're running around exploring it can be really easy to forget to eat, which can lead you to get takeout or fast food. Make dinner reservations for your trip or schedule blocks of time in your day to make sure you get a nice filling meal. You can use websites like Happy Cow to find vegan restaurants near you.
Plan Ethical Eco-tourist Activities: one of our favorite aspects of traveling is being able to see nature’s various forms around the world. Take it all in! Just make sure the spots you visit are approved for tourist visitation and opt for local guides. It also helps to do your research about the local politics, and ensure you’re not contributing to a corrupt industry.
Waste Disposal: learning about trash and recycling systems in the area you’re visiting beforehand will not only make your life easier, but will ensure you’re disposing of your waste properly.
Sustainable Baddie Abroad
You made it! You’re in [insert location] and ready to be a sustainable baddie abroad. While you’re here, participate in the following practices to ensure maximum sustiness and respect for your surroundings:
Support Local Businesses/ Artisans: girl… Why are you in Thailand drinking Starbucks?? Support street food vendors, who oftentimes have the most yummy and authentic foods, and artisans selling their handicrafts. (Of course, be cautious if you have any sensitivities.)
Take a Free Walking Tour: #1 underrated travel activity! Most cities offer free walking tours (tip the guide at the end) where you can walk around and learn about a city's history from a local student, guide, or historian.
Be Respectful: Susty baddies are appreciative and not exploitative travelers. This is just a gentle reminder to always be respectful of the culture, the environment, and the people of the place you’re visiting.
Use Public Transportation: No matter where you decide to visit, the most sustainable way to get around will be walking, biking, and using public transportation. However, if it’s a question of safety, travel by car instead.
Are you traveling this summer? Where are you going and how do you plan to be a sustainable baddie abroad?