Pack wisely
Plan your trip in the same way you would plan a local day out. Carry reusable shopping bags, water bottles, cups, toiletries – even Tupperware and cutlery – mean you don’t need to use single-use plastics locally. For places where tap water can be risky, consider picking up a filter system that you can reuse for years to come. Coral-friendly sunscreen is a good call if you’re planning on snorkelling or Scuba diving. Avoid the ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can be harmful to marine life.
Most importantly is to consider your clothing. A huge 73% of clothes produced globally end up as landfill, so avoid the pre-trip or in-trip splurge and pack what’s already in your wardrobe. Remember, less weight in your luggage means less fuel burned to transport you to your destination. It might seem like a small thing, but if everyone packed less – what a difference it would make.
Carry appropriate clothing for the region you are visiting. A little bit of pre-trip research can ensure you're well prepared. It is common practice all over the world, from Vatican City to Uganda, Spain to Pakistan, to cover shoulders and knees when visiting religious buildings such as churches or mosques. Wearing loose-fitting clothing in more religious regions, such as parts of the Middle East, India and Indonesia, shows respect for the culture you're visiting.