HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF HOW TO TRAVEL GREEN:
Instead of buying bottled water, bring reusable water bottles. You can also bring portable utensils and straws instead of using single-use plastic ones provided by some restaurants and fast-food chains.
Additionally, bring reusable shopping bags when buying souvenirs.
Speaking of souvenirs, buy locally made products to support local artists and business owners. Don’t buy anything made from endangered plants and/or animals, unsustainable hardwoods or ancient artifacts.
Do not participate in activities or buy photos from anyone exploiting wildlife, such as riding elephants or taking photos with sedated animals.
Walk, bike or use public transportation whenever possible. Not only are you saving money, you are also immersing yourself to the daily lives of the locals and reducing carbon emissions.
Return maps, brochures and other tourist information materials once finished so that other or future travelers may reuse these.
When booking hotels, try to look for those that have LEED Certification. Or at least stay in environmentally mindful hotels and resorts.
Ask if the hotel has a recycling program or if they have any sustainability initiatives such as solar polar, energy-efficient lighting or low-flow toilets.
If the hotel does not have a recycling program, consider bringing home with you any empty bottles or other items to recycle. Or sort your trash accordingly.
Bring your own toiletries — like shampoo bars and organic soaps, instead of using the prepackaged ones. If you do use these and there are unused portions, take them with you and use them at home or for future trips.
Reuse linens, blankets and towels instead of having them changed everyday. Hang up towels neatly; this is a universal indicator that you want to use them again.
Shower instead of taking baths, as baths take up more water. Incidentally, keep showers short and shut off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
When leaving your rooms, turn off the airconditioner, heat, television, lights or any other electric devices. Don’t leave in any device plugged.
Book tours with environment friendly tour operators, or with smaller groups as this will make less environmental impact compared to larger groups. Check if there are community-based tourism as these are more sustainable.
Research weather conditions and terrain before going on hikes to avoid getting lost or chances of requiring a rescue, which drains public resources.
When hiking, bring a bag with you for your trash. You can also pick up any trash along the way.
When going to the beach, check the ingredients of your sunscreen. Look out for oxybenzone and octinoxate as they are found to be harmful to humans and nature, and linked to coral reef bleaching.
When snorkeling, do not touch the coral or step on them as these can damage the reef’s fragile ecosystem.
Do not take seashells or sand as souvenirs. Similarly, do not take starfish and other marine animals out of water for photos. Not everything needs to be done “for the Gram.”
Do not feed or touch wild animals. Feeding them makes them habituated to and reliant on humans and could potentially lead to an attack. If you get bit or hurt by an animal, it will most likely be killed. Keep a respectful distance from them.