With the pandemic going on, the way we travel has changed. Instead of flying, people are opting for road trips, camping trips, and even staying at vacation rentals. Taking a break from the traditional travelling style has allowed us to consider how we can reduce our environmental impact. This means travelling slower and taking more purposeful trips.
If you’re an environmentally-conscious traveller, you’ve come to the right place. Here are six ways to make your vacation more eco-friendly:
1. Stay at Environmentally Friendly Accommodations
When booking a vacation rental, it is possible to find environmentally friendly accommodations. Look for hosts that have included green practices, such as using eco-friendly cleaning products, providing recycling or composting options, encouraging public transportation or providing bicycles, and installing solar panels. You may also consider booking accommodation with a green building certification, such as LEED, which signifies that the building meets sustainable and renewable energy initiatives standards.
2. Find Eco-Friendly Activities Near You
While away, do your part to protect the environment by choosing eco-friendly activities. Instead of using a motorboat, rent a kayak, canoe, bike, e-bike, or electric scooter. If you go exploring on foot, keep the trails neat—take away any rubbish you find and stay on the paths to maintain the habitat for the animals and plants.
3. Consider Walkability
When planning your eco-friendly getaway, look at the walkability score of your potential destination. This will help you determine if the accommodation you’re considering is conveniently located near restaurants, stores, and other attractions. Additionally, see how close you are to public transportation, bike-share, and electric scooter-share spots. This way, you can travel around your destination with a low environmental impact.
4. Dispose of Your Trash Responsibly
If you’re staying in a vacation rental away from home, don’t toss biodegradable food scraps, like apple cores or peach pits, into the woods. This may attract animals and harm the local ecology by introducing non-native plants. To avoid this, either compost the food scraps if the rental offers it or put them in a trash can.
5. Opt for Reusable Supplies
Renting a vacation home can be a great way to feel at home while on holiday. You can make your own meals and relax in a secure environment, which is a great advantage. When packing for the trip, try to bring reusable items such as shampoo bottles, soap, and other toiletries, instead of single-use products you would have to throw away afterwards. Having reusable items available will save you money and help you take care of the environment.
6. Shop Local Businesses with Sustainable Practices
When travelling, consider eating at restaurants that use sustainable practices, such as composting, recycling, and sourcing local ingredients. To further reduce your environmental impact, buy food from local sources like farmer’s markets and orchards that offer you-pick produce. Doing so will not only help the environment but will also give you a unique and delicious experience.
Conclusion
Making your vacation more environmentally friendly is a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint and ensure you’re doing your part to help protect the environment. From switching to energy-efficient lighting to utilising local, organic ingredients for meals, you can be sure that your vacation remains eco-friendly. So, don’t delay! Start making more eco-friendly choices today!
WeChalet connects you with unique homes, condos and cottages for rent in nature. Our mission is to connect you together to nature, to appreciate its beauty and its importance, and to accelerate the call to protect the Earth that we all share. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Mandeville, Quebec, look no further than WeChalet! Browse our vacation rentals now!