Reduce your environmental impact at home as you would on your travels

Now that many of us are on a travel break or have had our travel plans postponed there’s no reason why we can’t apply the steps we normally take as a traveller to mitigate our environmental impact at home. Here are some ideas of to apply those principles to your home lives and settings:

Plastic pollution.

- Refillable water bottles – avoid buying small plastic bottles and keep a refillable bottle on your desk and in your car
- The need of a favourite latte or cappuccino is strong after lockdown. Use an affordable refillable cup – some places offer a discount so it’s a double win.

Reduce your carbon footprint

- Travel with someone in your family, friend or Covid19 bubble to reduce the number of vehicles emitting fumes
- Plant an indigenous tree. If you aren’t sure where or how contact local forestry, garden centres and environmental NGOs
- Use local transport rather than self-driving. Perhaps set this as a future goal if you aren’t comfortable right now.

Buy local through supporting markets and local artisans rather than big chain stores.

- Stop at local markets and farms
- Support your local independent businesses when buying birthday, wedding and baby gifts, as well as treats and special items

Reduce waste food.

- As a tourist you tend to buy what you need so instead of the big weekly shop only buy what you need, and avoid the bulk buy offers on fresh items.
- Many councils / town boards collect food waste. If not find a local farmer or smallholding where food waste is a delicious meal for hungry pigs!

Please do your bit to reduce your environmental impact at home as you would when you come to visit us in the beautiful Eswatini.