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With Ecover you know that sustainability is a vital part of our company’s philosophy. It absolutely makes our day to see men and women in suits and with briefcases riding bikes or walking to their offices!

Even so, long distance travel is sometimes necessary and, moreover, everyone deserves a guilt-free vacation now and then. The good news is that an innovative industry—ecological travel planning—has emerged to help people find more sustainable ways of touring the planet.

Layla Revis, Editor-in-Chief of Jaunt Magazine and Eco-Adventurer.com is an expert in the eco-travel field. “My goal,” she says, “is to show our readers how to take the jaunt wisely so they may fully appreciate the vast cultural, biological, and political landscapes around us.”

Vacations can be good for our bodies and minds. Revis says to “Experience extravagance, but always break bread with the locals. Give as much back to your environment as you take from it. And last but never least… travel light.’”

Carolyn “The Healthy Voyager” Scott’s site HealthyVoyager.com also dispenses ecological travel advice. She recommends camping as an ideal way to see the world but keep your global impact to a minimum. In a “Conscious Camping” post, she provides “tips to green up, health up and make the most of your next venture into the wild!” This include packing reusable storage items, investing in camping kitchen and dishware—avoid disposable goods at all costs!—and using crank or shakable flashlights and radios.

“…keep your trash separate from your recyclables,” Carolyn advises. “Some camp sites aren’t equipped with separate dumpsters, so haul your own trash to the closest place that can take recycling.” And, she adds, “Bring your own firewood…using timber from around your camp site may be eco-friendly, but it actually threatens the forest’s future. When fallen trees and branches decompose, they return nutrients to the soil, feeding the surrounding trees and vegetation.” Good advice!

National Geographic Traveler also provides fantastic resources for ecologically-minded travelers and its post, “Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Travel,” offers a wealth of information; tips from ENERGY STAR properties for lodging to taking public transportation.  We at Ecover are pleased that travelers today have so many options for expert advice on sustainable travel. It is our hope that the more we see the world’s beauty the more we will work hard to keep it safe.