As summer approaches, many of us have started planning holidays or short getaways. We all look forward to warm weather, pristine beaches, sun and fun. Scientific studies have proven the ocean’s healing properties and its ability to make us happier and healthier. This means it is all the more important to protect the environment and be aware of the negative effects our behaviour can have on it. After all, plastic is not pristine.

Try to Tread Lightly

First of all, boarding a long-haul flight to a tropical island will significantly enlarge your eco-footprint compared to taking a train to one of the many beaches close to home. With that being said, here are five other things that you might wish to consider when planning a trip and packing your bag.

 

Questing for (unbottled) Water

When travelling, it can seem slightly tricky to avoid plastic water bottles or single-use coffee cups. Packing your own re-usable bottle or cup will help you avoid this dilemma. In countries where it is unsafe to drink water straight from the tap, your hotel might be able to provide filtered water. If you have a little tea station in your room, boiling water in a kettle prior to consumption is also a good option. For the globetrotters amongst us, it might be worth investing in a special filter bottle. Those bottles have an exchangeable filter inside, so you can easily quench your thirst on the go.

 

Keeping Squeaky Clean Sustainably

When packing, it is always tempting to use the convenient cabin-size miniature toiletries that come in small plastic bottles. However, those can easily be avoided. Simply bring a small bar of soap and a solid shampoo and conditioner. Alternatively, you may also be able to find small glass or metal jars that can serve the purpose.

 

 

 

Avoiding Unnecessary Plastics

Decline if offered a plastic bag for your sustainable souvenirs, postcards or groceries. Rather, try to bring a basket or re-usable cloth bag. You may even find a tote bag that also serves as a souvenir, reminding you of your holiday destination when shopping back home. It can be useful to do some research in advance, in order to locate local markets where fresh fruit is sold without any plastic packaging.

 

 

Refusing to Litter

Leave nothing behind. Place only your own butt on the sand, not those of your cigarettes. Additionally, the problem of flip-flops littering beaches is not only aesthetic but poses a huge health hazard to human and marine life. Cheap flip-flops are usually made of non-recyclable plastics and chemical additives that make them toxic to animals and plants as well as carcinogenic to humans. As a good soul, one should solely buy sustainable soles.

 

 

Minding Coral Reefs

Corals are beautiful, slow–growing, sensitive and fragile. Unfortunately, they are severely damaged by the chemicals that are used in sunscreen. To conserve healthy reefs, Hawaii has already banned all sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. To stay reef-safe, do not use harmful sunscreen prior to entering the water. To stay sun-safe while in the water, try to cover up and consider specific swimwear or clothing that protects your skin, such as rash-guards or wetsuits.

 

The Challenge

Travelling sustainably can be a challenge. Out of respect for nature and the beautiful places we visit, we should at least try our best.

We need the ocean but the ocean does not need us. So try to tread lightly and aim to leave behind nothing but footprints in the sand!