"As the bee gathers nectar without harming the flowers, so the wise one lives in the world."
This quote from Buddha is the most important piece of advice to keep in mind every day if you want to make your habits more sustainable. And to help you do so even while on vacation, here are 10 small tips to take with you wherever you go for your well-deserved rest.
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Leaving a beach clean costs only the two minutes it takes to pick up any trash and dispose of it properly. Just two minutes. Meanwhile, a single abandoned plastic bottle takes 500 years to decompose.
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Did you know that many of the microplastics polluting our oceans come from cosmetics? Exfoliating products, widely used in summer to smooth the skin before tanning, are a major culprit. You don’t have to give them up—just choose natural, eco-friendly alternatives without harmful substances that damage both the environment and your health.
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Unless you're traveling to a high-risk country, drinking tap water and refilling your bottle is a great way to save plastic—and CO2. In fact, every time you drink half a liter of water from a metal bottle instead of a plastic one, you save about 80 grams of CO2.
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If you’re going away for several days, take a moment to unplug appliances before you leave. Especially those with standby lights like TVs, game consoles, and other devices. It only takes a few seconds and saves both money and CO2. And if you empty and unplug your fridge, you’ll save even more—up to 4 kg of CO2 in a single week!
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Summer means more showers, but shorter is better! A quick 3-minute shower is more than enough to get clean while saving water and reducing CO2 emissions. In fact, a short shower emits around 90 grams of CO2, much less than a long one.
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Public transportation is always a good habit. And if your holiday destination has hybrid diesel-electric buses that reduce emissions even further, that’s even better!
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No excuses—summer is perfect for cycling! It’s good for the planet and great for you. Riding a bike emits about 21 grams of CO2 per kilometer, while driving a car emits an average of 115 grams. Plus, think of those toned legs!
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"When in Rome, eat as the Romans do." Choosing local food not only enriches your experience but also reduces the environmental impact of long-distance transportation. And if you can avoid plastic bags when shopping, your impact is even lower!
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Cigarettes! Seriously, if you still smoke… stop. Quitting is the best thing you can do, but if you must smoke, at least don’t litter your cigarette butts. Carry a pocket ashtray when you travel—no excuses!
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Last but not least, do something simple, meaningful, and impactful: gift a tree to someone you love. It will strengthen your bond, grow into a tree that absorbs CO2, and create opportunities for communities. All with the joy of sharing and the simplicity of a click!
And now… happy holidays! 🌿✨
