How I’m Adding Sustainability Into My Travels.

Small simple changes. I’m sure we’ve all heard the saying one person can’t change the world, but we can all change the world by doing one thing, or something along those lines. Such a mindset inspired me to explore a more eco-friendly way of travelling. The purpose of this post is to highlight the tiny swaps which, undeniably, make a big impact in the long-term. Sustainability can be such a daunting concept, but it doesn’t need to be. The moment you start exploring the topic, you’re already ahead.

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Ditching Plastic For Coconut Bowls.

The moment I came across organic coconut bowls, I was hooked. As the name suggests, you’re looking at bowls, plates and cutlery made entirely from waste coconut shells. I pack a few with me when I go to street-food markets, and ask for food to be directly added into the bowls. I mean, it’s better than a plastic container. Not only do coconut bowls LOOK nice, they’re easy to maintain. I purchased mine from a market by the sea during a summer of European travels, however ‘Wearth London’ and ‘Etsy’ also sell the product.

Supporting Local Produce.

Next up is the incorporation of more local produce. In the past, I would go to the supermarket, pick up some fruit and head to the checkouts. Sounds familiar, right? Right. However, how many of us actually look at the labels? I’ll be honest, I never did. That’s why I never knew just how far the groceries in my cart had travelled. I felt bad, because I knew I could be supporting local sellers who grow their own fruit/veg. It’s another way to avoid plastic consumption too. Oh, and why does local produce seem so much more flavoursome?

Finding Alternatives To Makeup Removers.

It’s time to put down chemically-infused makeup remover sheets and switch towards reusable cloths. Not any cloth though, a specific type aimed for makeup removal. Need convincing? What if I tell you these cloths remove makeup more efficiently, are gentle on the skin, can be washed/dried in seconds and will end up saving you money. Sold? I thought so.

Practising The Concept Of Slow Travel.

In short, slow travel focuses on sustainability in a way which differs from mainstream tourism. The idea encourages travellers to leave behind a fast-paced mindset, such as intense island-hopping, in favour of giving yourself time to experience connection. The sustainable part comes from the fact there’s a higher chance you’ll purchase from local communities or interact more deeply with the environment. You’re bound to view a place more authentically too. Who doesn’t love recommendations from locals, after all?

Want my personal insight? Previously, I assumed every element of my trip had to be jam-packed with adventure to maximise. The thought of sleeping in late or being at a place for too long gave me fear of missing out. I was always on the move. Yes, I was constantly entertained but something was missing. I lacked connection. I felt like I wasn’t really learning anything, even though I had plenty of things to do. An article on slow travel is what forced me to put together the pieces. Everything suddenly made sense. I was craving emotion with locals, nature, and culture. Things which I wasn’t getting from my usual travel approach. In that moment, I abandoned my travel bucket-list. At least temporarily. Small changes are better than no changes, as they say…

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