Student-friendly travel tips for sustainable living
As the summer fast approaches, many of us will be heading off on vacation soon. Here are five environmentally-friendly ways to cut down on your carbon footprint while traveling.
Bring your own water bottle. Yes, you are allowed to bring your water bottle through security at the airport. It has to be empty, but you can still bring it. Most airports have water fountains once you’re past security, so you can fill it up there. Aside from the obvious environmental benefits, why would anyone want to pay five dollars for a bottle of water in the first place?
Disclaimer: If you’re in a country where you’re advised not to drink the tap water, follow those rules and buy it bottled. Your safety comes first — but where you can, use your reusable bottle.
When you can, take a train or a bus instead of a plane. According to the International Energy Agency and the International Union of Railways, planes account for 12.3 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions, while trains account for only 1.8 per cent. Of course, sometimes you have to take a plane, but if you’re able to spend 12 hours on an overnight train instead — do it, even despite the inconvenience. Another option: carpool (but don’t rent a car just for yourself, because that’s just as bad). Even better: bike!
Save energy. Turn off the lights in your hotel or hostel, and unplug everything. This one may be kind of obvious, but it’s still good to mention. Shower as quickly as you would at home. If you aren’t given a recycling bin in your room, keep your recyclables together in one spot and bring it down to the hotel’s general recycling bin later. If you don’t know, ask. A lot of hotels have a recycling system, even if it’s not directly apparent. Turn off all the lights when you leave. Simple.
Bring a reusable bag. It’s so easy to pack a small reusable bag in your suitcase or backpack. You can even buy ones that fit into little pouches that look like strawberries, ladybugs, owls, and other cute things. This way you don’t have to use plastic bags, and it’s actually more convenient for you.
Don’t use the hotel laundry. Reuse your towels. Most hotels give you the option to choose not to wash your towels. Use it. If you’re staying for a longer amount of time, take your stuff to a laundromat instead of sending it downstairs. It might be more inconvenient, but hotels tend to wash each room’s clothes separately.
Photo by Leslie Thompson/The Ontarion