Top 10 Tips for Green Travel
1. Plan Your Green Arrival
London is well served by rail – a good alternative to road and air. Eurostar transports you straight to Central London and uses a tenth of the carbon consumed by a plane over the same journey. If you must fly, off-set your flight via one of the many online carbon calculators.
2. Use Public Transport
Avoid hiring a car or using taxis to get around. You'll see London in a whole new light from the top of a double-decker bus, Alternatively, walk or try London's Cycle Hire Scheme as these are healthy, low-impact options.
3. Reduce Energy Use in Your Hotel Room
You can make a difference by turning down the heating or air-conditioning by just one degree. By switching the TV off stand-by you can reduce its energy consumption by 25 per cent. Always remember to switch off appliances whenever you leave the room.
4. Reduce Your Laundry
Laundry consumes almost 40 per cent of the average hotel's energy for hot water. Be willing to use your towels and sheets for more than one day and help hotels reduce their energy use by at least five per cent.
5. Use Your Own Toiletries
A lot of energy goes into the production of the miniature soaps and shampoos available in hotel bathrooms which then contribute to thousands of bags of waste each year. Bring your own favourite toiletries and encourage hotels to stock refillable dispensers.
6. Minimise Waste
Reuse plastic bags or pack your own cloth or string bag to carry any purchases. Bring your own water bottle and some rechargeable batteries and a charger for your camera and other gadgets.
7. Support Independent Shops
Buy your souvenirs from small independent stores and support local traders. Their products are likely to be less energy-intensive in their production and you'll go home with a unique memento. You can also pick up some vintage clothing bargains.
8. Visit Local Farmers' Markets
London has several farmers' markets and you can sample and buy a delicious selection of locally sourced meats, cheeses and organic produce, all with low food miles. Perfect for a picnic in one of London's many parks.
9. Recycle Your Guide Books or Use an App
Give them to a friend or leave them at your hotel for another guest to read. It also leaves your suitcase a little lighter! Also check out our top 10 free apps and you can dispense with the guide books altogether.
10. Green Volunteering
For those who want to do a bit more, why not consider short-term volunteering? You could spend an afternoon planting trees in a community garden or a couple of hours helping out at a charity football match. Visit Time Bank or the The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) for details.