Travelling More Sustainably 

Written By Emma Calder

Written by Zoë Lichtwer, Sustainability Committee member

As the warm weather approaches and the semester winds down, many of us are eagerly planning our next getaway. While traveling is an exciting way to explore new places, it also tends to have a significant environmental impact. Our choices in transportation, accommodations, and packing, can make a big difference, and with a few mindful decisions, we are able to reduce our footprint and travel more sustainably.

Photo Credits: Zoë Lichwer

Here are some practical tips to make your trip a little more eco-friendly. 

1. Choose Transportation Wisely

When choosing how you are going to get around, keep sustainability in mind. If flying, consider booking direct flights and making the flight worth it by staying a bit longer. Additionally, look for flights with the ‘greener choices’ label, and book with an airline that has carbon offset programs or other environmental initiatives. And for when you are there, plan on taking public transit, walking, or riding a bike where possible, and if you really need a car, rent a hybrid or an electric one. 

2. Stay in Sustainable accommodations 

When looking for accommodations, keep in mind that some are more environmentally friendly than others. Apply green filters on booking sites, and look for hotels, hostels, and private rentals with Green Seal or LEED certifications. These accommodations actively work to reduce waste, water and electricity consumption. 

3. Pack Responsibly

When packing for your trip, remember to pack light, bringing versatile clothing items that can be hand washed. Bring a reusable water bottle for areas where you can fill up, and in areas where you can’t, think of getting small water purification devices. When packing toiletries, opt for bar soap, shampoo, and conditioner to avoid bulky plastic packaging.  


Traveling sustainably doesn't have to mean sacrificing what you want; rather, it means taking a bit of time to do some research and making thoughtful choices to help protect the environment. When you’re planning your next big adventure, just remember that every small thing counts. Safe and sustainable travels everyone!

Sources

Emma Calder
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