The planet is a vast and beautiful place, full of exciting and wonderful people. I have always been intrigued by other cultures and traveling to foreign lands has always been a part of my personal passion for learning about our world.
I just returned from a trip to Istanbul, one of the oldest cities in the world, and while the city left a permanent mark on me, I wanted to try and cut down the footprint I left behind.
I am still new to the sustainable world, but I'm learning some great tips! Here are some of my eco chic traveling tips:
1. Pack Light . When flying, pack as lightly as possible. This cuts down on bringing extra weight on the plane. I used to pack a giant bag to check with every possible outfit I could think of, but now I have slimmed down my travel wardrobe.
My rule is one pair of jeans, one pair of walking shoes (which I wear on the plane), one nice pair of shoes, one nice dress and a few tops. I always strive to fit everything in a carry-on, even on my week-long trips.
2. Use Your Own Soaps. I used to love those little cute bottles of amenities in the hotel room. And while the soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion may smell great, they waste an incredible amount or plastic and space in your luggage.
My new favorite soap is by Dr. Bronner. It's vegan, organic and can be used as body wash, shampoo and soap to wash your underwear and socks in the sink!
4. Don't Have Your Hotel Room Cleaned. I never thought about this until I traveled for the first time with Philippe. It's a very easy thing to do, just hang your 'Do Not Disturb' sign on your door when you leave.
By reusing your towels and not having your sheets cleaned every day, you can cut down on the entire hotel's water consumption and the amount of cleaners they use to do that laundry.
Also, they won't be cleaning the surfaces of your room with chemicals twice a day! I mean, how dirty do you really make a room in a few days?!
It's the little things that can make a difference. What tricks do you use when traveling to cut down on your footprint?