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Our Top Tips for Sustainable Travel

In the Naturetrek office we get many enquiries about how to make travelling a little more environmentally sustainable. After all, we are often flying far afield and leaving a significant carbon footprint, so it makes sense to offset our journeys as a first step. But what else might we be able to do, to see the planet and help the planet at the same time? We asked some of the team here at headquarters to see what tips they might have to offer. This is what they said:
1) First and foremost, further offset your carbon emissions from your flights, and the rest of your trip, by matching our donation to the World Land Trust and Fundacion EcoMinga in Ecuador! Read more about the Naturetrek Reserve in Ecuador. 
(Andy, General Manager)
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Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Ecuador
2) Remove any packaging before you set off, and wherever possible bring your waste home with you to be recycled or disposed of responsibly – especially things like used batteries which can’t be safely disposed of in many parts of the world. 
(Kerrie, Operations Manager & Sustainability Coordinator)


3) Take a water bottle to the airport with you. Take it through security empty, and then fill it up from a tap or water fountain once you are in the departure lounge. Avoid the expense of paying airport prices and you can use it throughout the holiday too!
 (Georgie, Tailormade Holidays Manager)
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4) Take your own (ideally environmentally friendly!) toiletries with you on holiday, so you don’t have to open new miniature shampoos every time you move hotels. You can take your own soap with you too!
 (Annie, Reservations)


5) Treat your hotel room as you would your own home – turn off the lights and air con when you leave, reuse your towels and fill up your water bottle from the tap.
(Tom, Website & Media Assistant)


6) If water is scarce in your holiday destination, opt for a shower rather than a bath… and make it quick!! 
(Barney, Private Groups & Compliance)


7) Drink local beverages to reduce carbon miles… and it’s always good to try new beers or wines too! 
(Dave, Operations Assistant)
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8) Beware of what souvenirs you purchase, checking what it is made from and where it was sourced. Don’t buy anything made from wild animals or unsustainable hardwoods (you could get stuck at customs anyway!), and opt for locally-made artisan products to support the local economy rather than purchasing souvenirs that have been made China. And, of course, take a reusable bag should the opportunity for shopping be on offer!
 (Lara, Tailormade Assistant).


9) Use coral-friendly sun cream when snorkelling to help protect the fragile reef environment. Generally, sun creams that are coral-friendly work by using either Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide (or a combination of both) to physically block out the sun, rather than blocking the sun chemically. Have a look at Badger Sunscreen!
(Sara, Website & Media Manager and Cruise Tour Leader)
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Coral reef, Raja Ampat
10) Further to that, be careful not to step on coral as you make your way out to your chosen snorkelling spot! And remember that picking up beautiful shells off the beach to take home leaves hermit crabs without a home.
 (Georgia, Reservations)


Visit our sustainable tourism page