Best Tips To Remember To Have An Eco-Friendly Holiday!

Choose an Environmentally Friendly Destination

We’re blessed to live in a country where accommodation venues have made the effort to become eco-friendly destinations.

It matters whether you visit an eco-lodge or game reserve, a community-based stay, or a bed and breakfast that practises sustainability principles.

Learning how to live sustainably will also help when returning home, where you can implement the lessons learnt into your daily life.

 

Travel Responsibly

Although using public transport in South Africa can be challenging, opting for it whenever possible significantly benefits the environment.

Opting for public transportation can significantly reduce individual carbon footprints. In the United States, for example, a single person switching from driving to public transit for a 20-mile round trip can save approximately 2180kg of CO₂ emissions annually.

While specific figures for South Africa may vary, the principle remains: using public transport instead of personal vehicles leads to substantial environmental benefits.

Two major public transport systems that everyone should use this holiday season are Cape Town’s MyCiti bus service and Gauteng’s Gautrain.

Or, book a holiday destination where everything is an easy walk or bicycle ride away.

 

Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle

According to a UCT study, South Africa beats many European countries at recycling plastic but is also one of the top 20 ocean polluters in the world. Either way, as a nation, we can all improve our consumer purchasing habits.

When shopping, make sure to avoid single-use plastics and other materials that are hard to recycle, which include:

• Multi-layered packaging (like chip bags)
• Contaminated materials (like pizza boxes, but you can compost some)
• Foil-lined products
• Disposable coffee cups with plastic linings

Adopting simple habits can make a huge difference for those looking to reduce their waste. Start carrying around a water bottle, which you can refill, or purchase aluminium cans when selecting cooldrink or alcoholic products.

Did you know that 100% of the aluminium in a can can be recycled and reused?

Being mindful of what materials are recyclable makes a world of difference.

 

Support Sustainable Activities Around South Africa

We’re truly blessed to have access to many activities and experiences that contribute to our country’s natural beauty.

Whether it is booking an ethical safari where the guides and resorts contribute some of their earnings into preserving the wildlife or educating locals about the best eco-friendly practices.

Or booking:

• A hike into the Drakensberg Mountains,
• Kayaking along the famous Knysna Lagoon,
• Or ziplining through the ancient Tsitsikamma forests.

These activities are sustainable and fun while supporting projects that ensure our country’s natural and cultural heritage remains intact for future generations.

 

Shop And Eat Locally

Shopping and eating local cuisine is not only more environmentally friendly because it shortens the distance between farm and table, but it also helps the community economically.

When we refer to shortening the journey from farm to table, we’re referring to its carbon footprint.

While you’re bound to have heard about a carbon footprint, it relates to the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organisation, event or product.

There are a few key sources that make up a carbon footprint:

• Transportation: Emissions from cars, planes, trains, and other modes of transport.
• Energy Use: Electricity, heating, and cooling powered by fossil fuels.
• Food Production: Emissions from farming, processing, packaging, and transporting food.
• Consumer Goods: The manufacturing, packaging, and disposal of products.
• Waste: The decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

When you eat locally, you’re reducing your carbon footprint for transportation, packaging, and so much.

Also, buy the local braai wood and leave it behind rather than bring it from home. Currently, South Africa has a problem with wood borer beetles, which can be transported when travelling with your braai wood.

Finally, before visiting any new South African destination, respect your environment.

Willard firmly believes in delivering a product that respects the environment. Our newer batteries are 99% recyclable.

You can always find one of our many stockists if you’re looking for a new Willard