Zero-waste travel kit: How to reduce your carbon footprint while on vacation
You've likely heard about the importance of reducing your carbon footprint while on vacation. But what exactly does this term mean? A carbon footprint refers to the emission of greenhouse gases resulting from human activities, particularly in the context of travel. There are both corporate (or global) footprints, influenced by companies, and personal footprints. Various factors contribute to your carbon footprint, including transportation, energy use, consumption habits, food choices, leisure activities, and waste management. Reducing your carbon footprint, even through small actions, helps to lessen the planet's environmental burden.
In the following article, we will share tips focused on sustainable tourism and show you how to prepare a zero-waste travel kit to help reduce your emissions. Recognizing that there is no perfect zero-waste traveler, we invite you on a journey of conscious learning where making mistakes is part of the process. The destination is yours to choose!
How can I reduce my carbon footprint during my vacation?
Say no to single-use plastics
Reducing waste on vacation begins with rejecting disposable packaging, especially single-use plastics. Instead, choose reusable and refillable formats, and if those aren't possible, opt for biodegradable materials like potato starch or bamboo. All Iberostar resorts are free from single-use plastics. In your room, you'll find refillable dispensers for soap, gel, shampoo, and body lotion, with formulas that are also vegan and cruelty-free.
Leave the environment better than you found it
Regenerative tourism goes beyond sustainability by actively restoring the ecosystems of the destinations you visit. This means leaving nature better than you found it. On the path to zero emissions, you can make a difference by bringing a bag to collect trash on the beach and other environments, participating in volunteer work during your travels, and choosing accommodations that embrace this philosophy. As part of its 2030 Roadmap, Iberostar leads projects to regenerate habitats around its hotels, such as replanting mangroves in the coastal destinations of the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
Travel sustainably
To reduce the carbon footprint of transportation, use public buses, trams, or metro lines whenever possible. In some destinations, bike tourism is an accessible alternative to cars, allowing you to explore stunning natural landscapes and stay active during your getaways; for example, cycling through Portugal. There are also hiking routes in protected areas, such as those in the S'Albufera Natural Park in Mallorca, which leads you to places you might not otherwise reach. Lastly, if you have the option, prioritize the train over the boat and the boat over the plane for medium and long-distance travel. Many airlines also offer the option to add a donation to your ticket to support projects that offset the carbon footprint of your flight.
Consume locally (and prioritize plant-based products)
Community-based tourism centers around local communities, fostering a respectful approach to different cultures and supporting local economies, particularly in food production. Engaging in activities like food tours connected to local traditions enriches your travels and promotes this vision. Additionally, prioritizing plant-based products supports a less polluting and more water-efficient food system than industrial livestock farming. You don't need to become vegan overnight; you can start by replacing some animal-based ingredients in your diet or by having a meat-free day during your vacation.
Take care of the sea and coasts
Regarding the previous point, responsible consumption of fish and seafood, emphasizing controlled and local fishing, benefits both communities and the health of the sea and coasts. Other tips? When engaging in water sports, do so respectfully without interfering with the animals' routines or touching the plants. Ethical observation of endangered species in Spain will strengthen your connection with the oceans. And, although it seems obvious, never, under any circumstances, throw waste into the water or onto the beaches. Submerged ecosystems, such as posidonia meadows or coral reefs, crucial for planetary balance, and fascinating creatures like whales, dolphins, and sea turtles, will thank you.
Zero-waste travel kit: Don't forget these essentials
Refillable water bottle
A single refillable water bottle won't change the world, but many will. They will significantly reduce the millions of plastic bottles that won't need to be produced. Follow Generation Z's lead and always carry a refillable water bottle with you on your travels to reduce your carbon footprint. Iberostar resorts have drinking water fountains available for refills! As a bonus, pack a reusable cup for coffee or tea, especially useful in stations and airports.
Solid cosmetics
Your zero-waste travel kit should include solid cosmetics. From shampoo and conditioner to deodorant, toothpaste, and even sunscreen, there are zero-waste versions of most personal hygiene products available. The fewer packages you consume, the fewer end up in the sea, protecting marine animals. Complete your kit with bamboo toothbrushes or hairbrushes and washable fabric makeup remover pads, allowing you to care for the environment while using non-toxic materials.
Picnic essentials
Do you love organizing excursions and picnics to explore the natural beauty of your destinations? Be sure to pack some essentials like wooden or other biodegradable cutlery, reusable plates, containers, cups, natural fiber napkins, and a blanket. These items will allow you to enjoy an impromptu lunch in the forest or a sunset snack on the beach without leaving any waste behind.
Cloth bags
You never know when you might need a bag, especially when far from home. Anticipate the situation and contribute to zero emissions by traveling with a few cloth bags of various sizes. These are perfect for separating clothes, storing your purchases, or taking to the beach. They are incredibly useful and take up virtually no space in your luggage.
Bonus: A book on zero waste
Traveling is also an opportunity to watch inspiring movies and catch up on reading (preferably by the sea at a hotel promoting sustainability). Want to learn more about avoiding waste on vacation while enjoying a good book? Choose a book on zero waste and use your relaxation time to cultivate your eco-consciousness. Titles like How to Give Up Plastic by Will McCallum or Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson will broaden your perspective. For something more comprehensive and philosophical, Simbioética by Jorge Riechmann is an excellent choice. Greenland is perfect for sparking children's curiosity. Gradually, your goal of reducing your carbon footprint will become a transformative reality.
