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It’s that time of year again, when many Canadians are lucky enough to escape some or all of winter by packing their bags and heading south to warmer climes.
As some of us cast our thoughts to sunnier days and balmier nights, here are a few reminders from Sustainable Orillia to help us travel light and right:
Let’s start by reducing paper. Use your phones to download boarding passes and tickets.
No matter whether you are flying or driving, if you haven’t already invested in a set of refillable plastic containers, then please do so.
Take an extra moment to sort your garbage en route. Most airports and/or rest-stops along the way have visible recycling protocols for plastics, paper products and so on. Be sure to follow the local guidelines.
Consider buying carbon offsets. Most airlines offer carbon offsets. For a small fee you can help neutralize your personal (travel) carbon footprint.
If you’re flying – bring your own headphones. Reject the plastic-wrapped set in favour of your old faithfuls.
And be mindful. it’s easy to lose track of things when we’re on the road. Keep personal things together and organized, especially those items that contain plastic. The better care we take, the less likely something will get lost and need to be replaced… which ultimately means less plastic or waste that ends up in landfills or the sea.
Little things, by lots of people, make a big difference.
These are just a few thoughts on how we can integrate sustainable behaviors in all parts of our lives no matter where we spend our winters. If you have any ideas on sustainability you would like to share, please let us know and in the meantime – travel safe and travel right.
