Lots of little things you can do to make a big difference...

...when you’re travelling

• Celine Cousteau says: Pack your own travel sized toiletries, then you don’t have to open a new package each time you change hotels. Most times, your own brand is much better anyway and importantly, it saves on wasted packaging.

• Buy locally made souvenirs or crafts, and ask to make sure they are not made from endangered or wild animals and plants including coral, shells, starfish, hardwoods, horns, teeth, feathers and animal skins and fur. If in doubt, don’t buy.
• Celine Cousteau says: Bring your own small set of travel cutlery to avoid taking those nasty little plastic ones they give you.
• Celine Cousteau says: Take a water bottle with you. Metal is better than plastic in this case and I try a bit of tasty powdered drink (like True Lemon) to avoid grabbing a soda to stave off sugar cravings. It’ll save you money and reduce waste from buying plastic bottles. Or at least check the bottom of bottles to see if there are any biodegradable plastic ones offered as an option.

• Always be sure to bargain with good humour and bear in mind that a small cash saving to you could be a significant amount of money to the seller.
• Consider compensating for the environmental impact of your travels via offsetting. Calculate your carbon footprint based on your air/car/bus/train miles here Clicks through to other article link in the blog on ‘A How to’ – reversing your carbon footprint
• Remove packaging before you leave home from items that you’re taking away with you. Remember, many countries don’t have recycling services at all.

... when you’re back home

• Drive green. Walk or ride your bike instead of driving – saves money and great for your fitness! Not a chance? So join a carpool to get to work - a social start to the day and saves you money! Failing that, use public transport as much as possible.

• Inflate your tyres. You get better gas mileage when the tyres are fully inflated - easy savings!
• Copy and print on both sides of paper - most machines you can change your settings to do this with in a couple of easy clicks.
• Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible, like clothes washing.
• Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones (stylish as well)!
• Use your own personal ceramic mug instead of a disposable cup each time.
• Buy items in bulk from loose bins at the market and save on packaging - plus it works out cheaper.
• Think about buying used furniture – it’s cheaper and often better quality than the new stuff.