Indeed, travel is not really on the cards these days because of the global health crisis, but we all hope to get back to a "normal" life in the near future.
Who doesn't like going on holiday?Whether backpacking to discover a country or a region while letting yourself be carried by fate, or staying in a hotel near a paradise beach...
Unfortunately, tourism is often synonymous with pollution! In this article, which is more aimed at globetrotters and adventurers, we are going to give you a few tips to make your trip more ethical.
But first of all, where should you go? 🙄
Which destination for an eco-friendly trip?
Travel opens our eyes to the world and changes our way of thinking. In other words, as the saying goes "travel shapes humanity."
Below is a list of 4 breathtaking destinations from the four corners of the world for your green travels:
- Costa Rica
- Canada
- Japan
- The Scandinavian countries
The choice of these 4 destinations is no accident. Indeed, these 4 countries are examples in terms of sustainable development.
Costa Rica
Blessed with incredible biodiversity, Costa Rica is a leader in eco-friendly travel and ecotourism in Central America. Its commitment to sustainable development makes it an excellent destination for all nature lovers. So, ready for Pura Vida?
More information on this topic =>
Canada
The largest country in North America is sure to appeal to all lovers of hiking, climbing, camping, long treks, and nature walks.
However, in Canada, the results of political commitments remain controversial in the latest environmental reports.
Even so, Canada remains a superb destination for fans of wide open spaces. Eco-tourism in Canada =>
Japan
I could have told you about Korea just as much as Japan, because these two Asian countries are examples in terms of respect for nature, discipline, and recycling.
Have you heard of the mysterious "Japan syndrome" when they visit Paris?
They are affected by a form of depression after their stay in our capital. In short, the reputation of the City of Light in the Land of the Rising Sun is such that when the Japanese arrive here, they feel deceived by our culture and our failings, whether in terms of hospitality, civic-mindedness, or cleanliness.
Having visited this magnificent country myself, I admit I partly understand this famous "Paris Syndrome".
Indeed, it is a real cultural change of scenery and a pleasure to wander the streets of Japanese towns and villages where cleanliness and courtesy are paramount.
If you want to learn about the philosophy of minimalism, this is the destination you absolutely have to add to your travel log.
A few ideas for getaways in Japan =>
The Scandinavian countries
Let's finish our eco-tourism loop in Europe, because yes, there are indeed countries in our union that stand out in the environmental field.
The Scandinavian countries: the Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Finland and Sweden are driving sustainable development figures in Europe.
These countries are examples in this area. Here are some of their goals and results:
- Producing 50% of their respective countries' energy supply from renewable energy, which is already the case at 45%.
- Norway has set the rather ambitious goal of no longer emitting carbon by 2030, that is, of producing only renewable energy.
- In the field of renewable energy, the five Nordic countries post impressive figures. They account for only 4.5% of total CO2 emissions in the European Union and, along with Austria, are among the highest percentages of renewable sources in final consumption in 2013: 65.5% for Norway, 52.1% for Sweden and 27.2% for Denmark, compared with 14.2% for France.
We have a lot to learn from these countries in terms of ecology. Also, if you want to discover a few eco-friendly activities to do in Scandinavia, I invite you to follow the link =>
Eco-friendly travel accessories
Is your suitcase ready? Are you sure you haven't forgotten anything?
Having an ecotourism destination is good. But having the right accessories for your eco-friendly trip is even better! Do you have your zero-waste travel kit?
Below is a list of 7 must-have accessories to add to your suitcase for your zero-waste trip:
Zero-waste hygiene products
There are countless cleaning and hygiene products that can be made very easily with natural ingredients that are easy to find. First, I invite you to download our free "Zero-Waste Guide" where you will find many DIY grandmother-style recipes. That way, you'll have something to read during the trip 😁
Bamboo toothbrush and toothbrush case
The basis of an eco-friendly toiletry bag. There are many alternatives to avoid using traditional plastic toothbrushes, and the bamboo toothbrush is one of them.
More information on this topic => Why a bamboo toothbrush?
Discover our Haburashi™ toothbrushes and their Travel™ cases, ideal for carrying your toothbrushes safely in your backpack or travel suitcase.
Cotton swab or bamboo ear pick
Just like toothbrushes, plastic cotton swabs are very polluting.
In our "bathroom accessories collection" we offer our Menbo™ bamboo cotton swabs. Their stems are made exclusively from natural bamboo. They are perfect for completing your eco-friendly toiletry bag.
However, I suggest you clean your ears with what is called an ear pick. This will preserve the health of your ear canal.
More information on this topic => How to clean your ears properly?
Bamboo hairbrush and comb
Finally, using a bamboo comb and brush will be just as effective as their plastic counterparts.
We offer our set of Bamboohair™ bamboo combs and hairbrushes, made up of 3 brushes and 3 combs in different sizes, ideal for your eco-friendly family trips.
Eco-friendly camping gear
It's hard to imagine an eco-friendly trip without a bit of camping!
We also have a few items to suggest.
Wooden speaker for smartphone
Now there’s an idea! During a nice walk in nature, at snack time or around the campfire, if you haven't brought a guitar and want to listen to a bit of music, I recommend our Power™ natural wood speakers.
Very practical and easy to carry, you can slip your speaker into your hiking bag and place your smartphone on it. Thanks to its design, the sound will be slightly amplified. Between us, enjoy the sound of nature; it's far more relaxing 😉
Laptop stand
If you have brought your laptop with you, I recommend taking and using a suitable stand. We often neglect our laptops. Leaving them on a flat, unventilated surface can seriously reduce their lifespan.
Our Longevity™ bamboo laptop stand solves this problem. Stylish and easy to carry, it will fit easily into your backpack or carry bag.
The bamboo water bottle
On your countryside getaways, you'll need something to drink. You can be sure that a plastic bottle is not allowed as part of a zero-waste outing. The most suitable alternative is to use a water bottle, and for that we offer our Dofus™ bamboo water bottle.
The question is, where can you fill your water bottle? Not bringing a plastic bottle is good. But if you fill your water bottle with water from a plastic bottle, it amounts to the same thing. Keep in mind that there are several ways to filter tap water or make river water drinkable.
For a hiking-style outing, I invite you to read this article: How to find water and make it drinkable?
The reusable cutlery set
To conclude this list, I recommend our reusable bamboo cutlery set Take katorarīsetto™, perfect for camping and similar getaways. Carefully packed in a fabric bag, you'll find everything you need for zero-waste meals: fork, knife, spoon, chopsticks, and bamboo straw.
It's the camper's must-have accessory ! 🥇
