The eco girl

After 8 years of independent travels I thought I had everything sorted. Until I discovered I had been doing it wrong all this time.
Wrapping things in plastic to keep them 'fresh' and protected. Buying loads of small and individually packed things for 'practical reasons'. Eating on the budget.
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Now I realize travelling is a privilege and we should treat it as such. When visiting a country, we are not there only to satisfy our insatiable greed for new experiences, but also to show respect to the land, the people and the culture.
And here is how I changed my habits for the benefit of all:
- I became inseparable from my reusable shopping bag. This little friend is with me at all times and comes in handy when I am shopping for groceries or storing my jacket when it's hot. I NEVER take plastic bags at the supermarket check out. I believe just in the past 3 months I have spared the environment already over a 100 plastic bags. And this makes a HUGE DIFFERENCE with LITTLE EFFORT.
- I buy fruits and veggies at farmer's markets, organically, locally. By doing this I support local farmers and local economy. I also eat better and honor my body by offering it a healthier diet. No, it is not the cheapest way to do it. But I am talking about personal health here. Surely that is not something worth saving your money on. By supporting organic food you strengthen the industry that is sustainable and responsible towards the environment. No sprays and pesticides means healthier land for the locals, too.
- Avoid individually packed items and plastic on top of plastic. I consciously buy items packed in cardboard, paper or nothing at all. If you can't avoid plastic, then reuse it and/or recycle it.
- One of the best things I bought were silicone travel tubes and silicone food container. Travel tubes 'GoTube' come in carry-on sizes, are reusable and don't leak. Also handy when making your own toothpaste or shampoo. The food container I got from Kathmandu, it folds when not in use and also has a leak-proof lid.
- My cosmetics are bio - degradable. I use organic soap that is not only good for the environment (I don't want a polluted Samoa, do you?), but also for your skin. Same goes for the shampoo and toothpaste.
- Stop freaking buying bottled water and start drinking tap water. In most countries it is completely safe. If in risky areas, get one of those purifying straws or electric purifiers.
- Don't buy rubbish souvenirs. That plastic kitsch isn't worth it. Your friends and family are only going to look at it once and probably throw it away at the next spring clean-up. If you insist on gifts, donate to a worthy local cause in your friend's name or purchase a sustainable, local handicraft.

There are many ways to make this planet a better place to live. This is my meager contribution to our future generations.
Reuse! Recycle! Respect!

And get that ducking rubbish out of your life. You ain't worth it and neither is our planet.

Yours truly,

Eco-Ajda