Sustainable Travel Tips for Eco-Conscious Backpackers

In recent years, the idea of backpacking has rocketed in popularity. One of the main reasons for this is because it is a way cheaper way for you to explore new cultures and a different way of life. It’s not just a way to help the environment either. It’s a great way to leave a positive and long-lasting footprint wherever you go. If you want to find out more about sustainable travel or if you want to make the most out of your backpacking experience then take a look below.

When the time comes for you to plan your backpacking journey, you should consider staying in eco-friendly accommodation. A lot of hotels and lodges are known for having sustainable practices, such as adopting the use of solar energy or even running on as little energy as possible. This is great, and if you can target hotels like this then you will soon find that you can have an even bigger impact on the environment. Remember, supporting local businesses is always a good idea and if you can do this then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to travel sustainably.

A reusable water bottle, along with reusable utensils is one of the best ways for you to travel with sustainability in mind. Carrying a water bottle is a great way for you to avoid buying single-use water bottles when out traveling. On top of this, you can also buy reusable stencils if you want. By doing this, you can then make sure that you don’t end up contributing more waste than needed. Carrying things like this with you is always handy as it means you can eat on the go and sample street food without any concern at all.

When moving from one place to another, you need to think about using public transportation. Trains and ferries are great options here, so make sure that you keep those in mind. It’s a great way for you to immerse yourself in the local culture as well. If you know that public transportation is unreliable or if it is somewhat unavailable then you can always look at the option of carpooling. In a lot of countries, you can find trustable websites that help you to share your ride with other travelers. You can then split the cost of this, so make sure that you keep this in mind.

Another thing you can do is look at eco-friendly toiletries and supplies. Personal care products and toiletries can be a significant source of waste when you are on the go. Most of the time you can’t do anything about this either. With that in mind, it’s wise for you to look into solid soap bars. If you can do this then you can reduce the amount of plastic waste you produce, which is very detrimental to the environment. You can also take biodegradable wipes with you as well, as again, this will lessen the waste that you produce while on the go.

During your backpacking trip, it is so important that you find ways to manage your waste and that you dispose of it on a regular basis. Carry a small trash bag in your backpack with you and make sure that you dispose of it in a designated waste bin. When you do see a waste bin available, you need to use it. If you don’t see any then carry your waste with you until you can find a solution. Remember that each country will have their regulations when it comes to recycling, so you need to keep this in mind so you can make the best decision regarding your traveling experience.

If you want to be an eco-friendly backpacker then you have to support local businesses. Make sure that you are buying local products and that you are also doing what you can to support the local economy. Reduce your transport emissions and also make sure that you support sustainable tourism. This will help you to immerse yourself in the world of local culture and it will also give you the chance to learn about people’s way of life. This can translate into you having a much more positive travel experience overall.

You do want to minimize flying where possible. Flights add a huge amount of planet-warming gas to the atmosphere. Return flights can generate more carbon dioxide than an entire country of people over the space of a year. If you fly a lot then you will be adding to the load that the planet is already under. Air travel is very destructive too. Some people quit flying entirely as it is one of the best ways to help the environment. If you don’t feel as though you can cut out flying entirely then one thing you can do is find alternative routes. You can also limit the carbon released by your flight by taking a direct route. Travel overland rather than booking a flight too, especially when you are going over a short distance. Flying economy class is also the better option. If you fly business class then this will leave behind a way bigger carbon footprint. Traveling via train is an option most of the time too. If you want to explore this for yourself then you may want to look into luggage storage so you don’t have to carry your bags around with you. Look into luggage storage Sydney Central Station, if you intend on traveling to Australia for example.

If you want to take things to that next level then another thing you can do is travel slowly. Don’t hop from one country to another, and instead, spend as long as you can in one country. Spending more time in one location means you can connect better with the destination, as well as the locals. Spending more time in the location means you can better connect with other people and you can also get a higher level of understanding regarding the culture. Tourists can easily invest more of their time and money in the region by doing this too, which benefits the whole community. Traveling slowly also comes with environmental benefits, as you will be traveling overland less, which results in reduced emissions.

If you are traveling to a country such as India, then you may struggle to access safe drinking water. One way for you to work around this would be for you to take a water filtration system with you. This is a great way for you to filter water as you go and it will have a major impact on the amount of waste you produce. There are tons of systems that you can choose from here, and all of them will suit a different need. If you can, you need to choose one that is suited to the country you are visiting, as this is the best way for you to make sure that you don’t end up struggling more than you need, when it comes to staying hydrated.

Another thing you need to do is support local operators. Many global tour operators are always trying to work toward sustainable tourism practices. They also want to take steps to minimize their overall environmental impact. If you can support them by booking them in for tours then this will help you in your sustainable journey. When booking a tour, try and do a bit of research so you can find out what they do for the environment. This will help you to know if it’s someone who you should be supporting, or if you should find someone else. Try and dine at local restaurants rather than chains too, as this is a great way for you to make sure that you are making all of the right choices when it comes to your sustainable travel journey. You can also hire a guide when you arrive at your destination, as this will stop them from having to travel just so that they can get to your location.

Collaboration Post Written by Tom Badford