Dear earth lovers,

how are you doing so far? I hope this week has been an awesome one!
Since last weekend we celebrated Earth Day, I wanted to write about two very
important things in my life: travel and our earth. As part of the millennial
generation, I, too, love to travel the world and explore what it has to offer.
However, travelers also contribute to the waste and pollution that is slowly
killing this beautiful planet we live in. So, how can we, wanderers, change
this? Luckily, there is a way to make travel more eco-friendly, and here are
some of my personal tips:

1. Bring your own

One of the things that we produce during our travels is waste. We eat
and drink on the road, so it is most likely that we will consume and then throw
away whatever trash is left over. So, why not bring your own? I’m not just
talking about water bottles, but also your eating utensils and drinking straw.
When I travel, I always bring my grocery bag, one-liter water bottle, a spoon,
chopsticks and my drinking straw. By doing so, I can avoid buying plastic
bags, water bottles, plastic utensils and using plastic straws.

2. Pack light

The one mistake that I did in the past was over-packing. Little did I know that
the more a plane weighs, the more carbon emission it produces. What does
that mean? It means that if every passenger can avoid over-packing their
luggage, they can reduce the carbon emission of that plane. After learning this
information, I decided to pack only the things I needed. In February 2016, I
went on a two-week trip to India with just a carry-on, and in the end, it actually
made my trip a lot easier. So, let’s pack wisely!

3. Make-up wipes
Ladies, we all know how much we want to look good in a photo, right? I
find myself putting on make up during my travels, and I’m pretty sure I’m not
the only one. However, have we ever thought about the waste that we
produce when throwing away our make up wipes? Here’s an idea: reusable
make-up wipes! I bought a reusable make up remover a few months ago and
have not returned to disposable ones since. It is easy to use because you
only need to use it with water! For extra waterproof eyeliner, I always use
olive oil or coconut oil, which I pack in small bottles during my travels.

4. Lily Cup Compact

Ladies, this is also for you! Stop what you are doing for a second and think
about how much waste we produce through our pads and tampons? A LOT.
That’s why I’m suggesting menstrual cups, especially the Lily cup compact.
I’m mentioning this particular menstrual cup because you can collapse it and
bring it everywhere with you, so it’s perfect for traveling. By the way, this is
also a good option even if you are not an avid traveler.

5. Eat and drink locally
When I travel, I try to cook and eat food from the local area. This would mean
going to a local market or supporting small local businesses such as small
restaurants and even local breweries. By consuming local food and drinking
local beers and wine, you are not buying products that were flown or shipped
from a different area. Ask your local hostel or hotel about this. I am sure they
will be able to give you information!

So, those are some eco-friendly and sustainable ideas for your next vacation
or travel plans in the future. Do you have other suggestions for eco-friendly
travel? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

Best vibes and happy travels!

  By Beth Sudibyo