How to limit your environmental footprint when travelling?

As lovers of the ocean or just aware travelers, there is plenty we can do to help protect and improve the places we are visiting when we travel!

If you have been snorkeling or diving before, the experience has probably made you aware of the trash problem everywhere in the world underwater. There are a few small or big ways to limit our impact when we are traveling, from simple to a bit more complex!

Use reef-safe sunscreen

“Classic” sunscreens are full of chemicals that can be harmful to corals and fishlife. By choosing a reef-safe sunscreen, you can make sure that you do not harm the reefs! Check out the composition and see if they contain anything harmful to the reefs, such as oxybenzone. Most reef-safe suncreens will have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as their main ingredient.

Use a reusable water bottle and coffee cup

These are easy to pack and convenient everywhere! In places where tap water is not safe to drink, the number of plastic bottles you use every day can quickly pile up! By using reusable containers for your drinks, you are preventing a lot of plastic trash to be created.

Limit products with plastic wrappings and bring a shopping bag

While in a lot of countries plastic bags are not available anymore for shopping, there are still plenty of places where they are. A tote bag is easy to pack and can be very convenient for a lot of things, like going to the beach! With a couple of reusable bags, you can avoid plastic when shopping around or buying souvenirs.

Reusable grocery & shopping bag

Ditch the straw

A tropical drink in front of a beautiful sunset…with a plastic straw in it! Does it ring a bell? Plastic straws are used for a few minutes but end up creating a lot of trash. While we can debate whether it is necessary or not to drink a juice or a cocktail, there are now plenty of reusable alternatives if you feel like you need a straw! You can find metal or bamboo straws that will do the job just as well. Or you can simply ask for your drink with no straw!

Travel reusable straws

Pack solid shampoo and conditioner

While it might be inconvenient to pack enough shampoo and/or conditioner for your trip, the solid alternatives nowadays are plenty! Small and easy to pack, solid shampoo is also a good solution to not use or leave behind empty bottles and lighten your luggage! There are plenty of different options available, some designed especially for ocean lovers.

Talk to the operators

The price you pay is the quality of service, but not only. It is easy to spot an eco-friendly dive center or snorkelling operator. Are they providing drinking water in reusable containers? Are the meals or snacks packed in plastic? Do they partake in conservation initiatives in the area? By making purchase decisions, you also indirectly support the local environment protection.

Choose your food wisely

Local cuisine is usually made from products locally sourced and readily available. Before ordering food in a restaurant while on holiday, maybe ask if the fish or meat is local: frozen shrimps will likely be the same wherever you are and instead you could try a local fresh fish. The same goes for local fruits and vegetables, if they are 3 times more expensive they are probably imported to satisfy the tourist demand…but is it really necessary? Why not discover something different for your taste buds?

Join a local clean up or action

While on holiday, why not give back a bit to the location you are visiting? Many touristic places have local conservation initiatives such as beach clean-ups or local conservation NGOs that might be happy to get some help for a couple of hours! It might also be educational for you or your kids, as well as a way to meet local people and fellow travellers!

This beach could use a clean-up

Lots of these habits can also be easily transferred back home when you come back from your holidays! I hope a number of these tips will inspire you for your next trip and that some of these will become easy habits to keep.

For more information, check our post on responsible travel for options to consider.