It’s finally summer—time for road trips, camping, wedding season, beach vacations, and other travels. The season is all about fun, but it’s even better when you know you’re being as planet-friendly as possible along the way. Here are our green tips for sustainable travel this summer and beyond!
1. Drive together
Driving is often a greener choice than flying, especially when you ride with several other people. If you’re traveling to a wedding destination or family gathering, ask if there’s anyone who wants to carpool. Not only will you cut carbon emissions, you’ll save money on gas, help each other out behind the wheel, and start the quality time early with conversation on the road.
Not having baggage restrictions can also help you avoid having to throw anything out or buy more luggage on the way home—another sustainable score.
2. Pack protein for the road
Fast food is always a temptation, but packing a meal for your drive can help you slash spending, calories, and waste. Consider prepping sandwiches, veggies, nuts, and fruit ahead of time to help you stick to your sustainable health goals. For a salty treat to snack on the road, nix the jerky and empty potato chips and go with the power of plant-based protein from Kibo Chickpea Chips and Kibo Lentil Chips. Each serving contains 6-7 grams of protein, which will keep you satisfied longer on your drive.
3. Bring a bottle
The disposable water bottles sold at airports, trains, rest stops and hotels can get crazy expensive, and all that waste adds up fast. Luckily, many airports now have water bottle filling stations, so bringing your own can help you save money and plastic. Just be sure that wherever you’re refilling has potable tap water, or look for a filtered gallon jug to fill your bottle at your hotel or homestay.
4. Choose to reuse
Packing reusables goes beyond just bottles. A slim grocery bag is lightweight and easy to pack, helping you skip single-use plastic when shopping for souvenirs or groceries at your destination. To cut down on more plastic waste, opt for reusable silicone travel bottles for your shampoo and other grooming supplies. A clear silicone sandwich bag is also perfect for going through TSA with your toiletries.
5. Bring comfortable shoes
Walking around to explore a new town or city is a fuel-efficient way to see sights, and hiking or biking is a great way to connect with a new landscape. But you need comfortable shoes first! Pack comfy, breathable walking clothes and a foldable hat and sunglasses if you’re going somewhere sunny. That reusable water bottle and bag will also come in handy when you’re out on your jaunts.
6. Slick up with reef-safe sunscreen
The world’s coral reefs are in critical condition, and while climate change must be addressed on a global scale, personal products can also have an impact on the wellbeing of our ocean life. When possible, please choose reef-safe sun lotion (formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) that won’t cause pollution via swimming or runoff. Check the ingredients list and especially avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate.
7. Book eco-friendly
Before booking, do a quick search of eco-lodges or green hotels, farm-to-table restaurants, conscious tours, and locally-owned and operated activities around your destination. Tripadvisor and other travel sites often have easy guides for eco stays. It’s a fun way to see what’s available while making an impact.
8. Use less
According to the EUl, in some places tourists create twice as much waste as locals. To avoid this, a good rule of thumb is to be as sparing at your hotel as you are at home. That means reusing your towels, turning off lights, regulating AC, saving leftovers in your mini fridge to eat later, and disposing of waste properly.
9. Shop strategically
Souvenirs can quickly become just more stuff. Your family members likely won’t cherish a mass-produced t-shirt or plastic knick-knack, so look for craft souvenirs made by local women or other artisans. Items like bar soaps, handmade bags, or pottery will be well used.
If you’re cooking at a homestay, try visiting a local market for food—you’ll help support the local farm economy and you’ll also find exciting new ingredients to try.
10. Roam close to home
Far-flung destinations have a way of unlocking the intrepid explorer within us, but the occasional adventure close to home can be equally fulfilling.
When looking to plan travel this summer or in years to come, using the simple practice of folding your “map” to look at a smaller area within driving distance can be one of the best ways to save carbon emissions and money. Use it as a fun challenge with your family, friends, or partner to see where you haven’t explored close to home and how you can make a mini journey feel like a full-on vacation.
Think about all of the fun activities you can do together with the money you save on international flights!
We hope these sustainable travel tips are helpful as you plan your summer travel! For more healthy and sustainable tips, be sure to subscribe to our email list and follow Kibo on social.
Please tag us @kibofoods to share the new places you take our chips to this summer!
