I like to think of myself as a traveller who’s does their bit for the environment; with the brilliant volunteer projects I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with and with my one woman mission of convincing everyone I met to recycle, but now it’s time for something more! I’ve been on the hunt for practical tips for travellers who want to be a bit greener, so if your mantra is ‘take only photos, leave only footprints’ then read on for the i-to-i top 5 quick green tips, and no this doesn’t include wearing a wool vest....

1. Use public transport: most responsible projects will do this anyway but wherever you have the choice, go for a bus or a train over hiring a car; less pollution and a great way to get to know the locals!

2. Give all-purpose soap a try: not only is it biodegradable it washes you, your hair, fruit, dishes, clothes, and even lathers in salt water! Cleanliness on the go and you won’t have to take the whole bathroom with you!

3. Buy Local, Seasonal Food: in most countries there will be lots of yummy local food on offer and if you’re brave enough to try the local delicacy you’ll be putting money back into the community and discouraging less sustainable food suppliers.

4. Take a solar power charger: if you really can’t live without your gadgets then pack a green way to charge them, this may also be necessary when there’s no power supply anyway so it’s winner whichever way you look at it!

5. Don’t buy bottled water: this may not be an option in some countries where the local water is unsafe but when you can avoid plastic bottles, try out purifying water tablets or water flasks. You can find out more about this here http://gogreentravelgreen.com/green-environmentally-friendly-products-travel-gear/filter-water-bottle-review/.

• green
• travel
• advice
• tips
• how
• to
• eco-friendly
• conscious
• responsible