How to be planet-friendly whilst on holiday
Whilst we at Greenfrog love travelling, we also think about travelling sustainably – in a way that allows you to enjoy the nature and landscapes on your journey without damaging or taking away from those special eco systems.
Here’s our top ten things to take and to keep in mind in order to make your impact on the planet as low as possible when travelling abroad.
1. Research your destination
Researching your destination provides you with information about amazing sights, activities and delicious local food - and it also gives you an insight on cultural differences and helps you understand the local communities you are about to spend some time in. In other words, research allows you to be more aware, mindful and respectful while you are travelling.
2. Bring a reusable water bottle (and a water filter)
The sheer amount of plastic we use in our global society has led to single use plastics being a rising problem around the world. There is no easier way to contribute to keeping the ocean plastic free than bringing a reusable water bottle on vacation. We understand that water quality makes it hard to not use a plastic bottle when you are on vacation, luckily using a reusable water filter will make sure you can safely drink from your reusable bottle without risking illness.
3. Bring a reusable straw and cutlery
Bringing a reusable straw and cutlery is any easy way to enjoy your picnic on the beach, in the jungle, on a mountain top and even in the desert without having to worry whether the plastic straw and cutlery you just used are going into landfill or land directly in the ocean.
4. Keep your body clean and green
Staying and feeling clean is one of the most important factors to contribute to our physical and mental health. Our travel sized products are hand luggage safe and gently cleanse your hands and body after a long day at the beach or by the pool. All of our products are organic and 100% biodegradable, they are safe to use in the ocean, a lake and even under a waterfall.
Additionally, all of our products are palm-oil free, cruelty free and vegan, so go ahead and try our travel size range.
5. Ocean and reef safe sunscreen
Although no sunscreen is 100% safe for the ocean, reefs and marine wildlife, there are some key factors to check when buying sunscreen - conventional sunscreen are scientifically proven to pollute and bleach our precious oceans and reefs.
The substances to avoid include oxybenzone, octinoxate, butylparaben (or any Parabens), triclosan, PABA, octocrylene and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor as they are strongly linked to ocean pollution and coral bleaching.
It is also key to check for non nano zinc oxide on the ingredients list of your next sunscreen, as non nano zinc oxide is significantly healthier for marine life and your skin than other substances.
6. Exfoliate with Konjac sponge
Exfoliating and cleansing your face are important factors for feeling refreshed and starting the day good. But with microbeads finding their way into the belies of the ocean's fish populations, why not ditch your exfoliating scrubs and find a more natural way to cleanse your skin?
The root of the Konjac plant is naturally alkaline, so our natural konjac sponges helping leave your skin perfectly balanced. We've further enriched our sponges with deep cleansing charcoal, anti-oxidizing green tea or skin softening clay. Our Konjac sponges are 100% organic, vegan, cruelty free and biodegradable they are not only good for you and your family but also for the environment.
Use them on their own or combine them with our travel sized bodywashes to create a unique natural spa experience whether you are on holiday or not.
7. Bring a fabric bag
Sometimes, the most obvious things to change are the most impactful. With plastic essentially being found in every single organism on the planet, now is the time to make those changes.
Try bringing a reusable fabric bag, like a cotton tote bag. They are small, lightweight and easy to pack while helping you avoid unnecessary plastic. Put in in your daypack and use it for shopping, carrying your picnic supplies or to put dirty clothes in.
8. Take trash from the places you visited
Plastic can nowadays be found in the even most remote places on the planet. So why not help the earth by taking some of it to the nearest recycling station or proper waste bin? It will help the earth by preventing the plastic from breaking down and slowly making its way to the groundwater and it will help you and other people in the community to enjoy the places you all came to see without vast amounts of rubbish.
Join people like Jackson Groves, the founder of Adventure Bag, a community that encourages others to take back a bag of rubbish from every adventure they return from and help them on their mission to keep the planet healthy.
9. Eco-friendly laundry detergent
Even the most experienced travellers dread the trip to the local launderette after a week full of adventures. Understandable when you think about the valuable time that doing your laundry takes but also the terrifying effects that conventional laundry detergents have on us and the groundwater systems of our planet.
Therefore, our 100% organic soap nuts are a sustainable, biodegradable and natural alternative to standard household laundry detergents. Just throw a couple of handfuls in the organic cotton bag that comes with our soap nuts. And like all of our other products, the soap berries are palm oil free, vegan and cruelty free certified.
10. Spread the word!
Finally, the most important thing is to tell your friends and family about your adventures and how you and the planet benefit from eco or green travel.
You may find that most people appreciate the conversation and maybe you can create a ripple that influences others to think about their own ecological footprint!
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Happy travels!