Ecotourism – Page 2

10 Easy Ways To Live a Greener & Sustainable Life

Someone once said, “We did not inherit our future from our ancestors, we have borrowed it from our children.” And it’s absolutely true. It’s crucial for us to live in a way that the planet remains viable for our future generations.

A green lifestyle is a popular way people marry the idea of living a healthier life and doing their part for the environment. In solitary, many green lifestyle changes may seem too minuscule to actually make any difference. But imagine the benefits, if each of us participated in living a greener lifestyle? The impact will certainly be noticeable.

If you’re hoping to incorporate green and sustainable changes in your everyday lifestyle, here are a few ways you can get started.

1. Switch to Renewable Energy

Conventionally, energy is generated by burning fossil fuels that increase greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. The alternative is renewable energy, which is generated using solar, hydro, and wind energy. Talk to your retailer and enquire about green energy options. Origin electricity plans give users an option to source between 25% to 100% of electricity usage from renewable sources.

2. Start Composting

Start throwing all your food waste in a composting bin. Composting is an excellent way to naturally enrich the soil with nutrients. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in reducing the amount of methane and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

3. Understand Recycling

Most of us have a basic understanding of what can be recycling. Reach out to your local recycling to find out what all they accept. You may be surprised to discover that containers and bags lined with foil and polypropylene aren’t recyclable. Also, leaving food in takeaway containers is a big no-no. Make sure you remove residual food and give containers a quick wash before putting them in the recycling bin.

4. Eliminate Single-Use Plastic

There are several ways you’re using single-use plastic in your everyday life. From plastic water bottles to plastic straws, stop using single-use plastic. Start carrying a cloth grocery bag when shopping, buy a reusable water bottle, take your own cup to the coffee shop, and also get a metal straw.

5. Use Natural Cleaners

Most conventional household cleaners often contain certain chemicals that don’t break down easily. These chemicals, in turn, cause harm to aquatic life. Purchase all-natural cleaners or make your own at home. It is better for your own health as well as the environment.

6. Eat Vegan Meals

Instead of including animal products in all your meals, try opting for vegan or vegetarian meals at least once a week. Vegan meals can be just as nutritious and flavourful as their meat-filled counterparts. If you can’t do without meat or cheese, explore substitutes like Beyond Meat and nutritional yeast.

7. Buy Second-Hand

Whether you’re looking for a coffee table or clothes, check out flea markets and charity shops. You’ll find beautiful pieces at a fraction of the usual price.

8. Avoid Fast-Fashion

Fast fashion is built on the notion that products are disposable and easily replaceable. If your budget allows it, avoid fast fashion, and instead buy high-quality clothing that will last for several years.

9. Use Public Transportation

Is your city well-connected with public transportation? Then use it as your primary mode of transportation, which will reduce pollution and fuel costs. Other than this, carpooling with your co-workers is another great option.

10. Conscious Energy Use

Turn off lights and unplug vampire appliances when not in use. In addition to helping the environment, being a conscious consumer will lower your energy bills and allow greater savings.

The Bottom Line

Green lifestyle doesn’t have to be an inconvenience or expensive commitment. In fact, several sustainable changes can actually reduce your living costs. So what is holding you back?

5 Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Earth’s surface is warming and we have recorded the warmest years in the past 20 years. Seems frightening right? But what if we told you it’s possible to potentially alleviate the effects with simple changes in our lifestyle. Yes, that’s right. By tweaking small changes in our daily lives we can perform our part to reduce carbon emissions.

In this article we’ll mention 5 easily implemented tips that can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. But before stating the tips, let’s get to know what Carbon Footprint actually means.

What is Carbon Footprint?

Simply stated, your Carbon footprint is the total amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere and can be done so by individual, community or organizational activities involving dirty gas/oil methods of energy generation. On an individual basis there’s several activities performed by us which emit greenhouse gases such as driving, heating home, and more that we’ll go through within this article.

For more information on how much carbon dioxide your lifestyle emits, find a carbon footprint calculator website. By calculating your contribution to the global carbon footprint, you’ll be able to identify which lifestyle habits you might want to focus on and change.

Now, let’s talk about the 5 tips to reduce your individual carbon footprints.

5 Tips to reduce Carbon Footprints

1. The 5 R’s

Remember the 3 R’s we used to learn in school? Well, you just have to add two more R’s and you can take the first step towards lowering your carbon footprint. So in addition to reuse, reduce, and recycle, you need to add ‘refuse and rot’. Refuse the use of plastics and paper! This can be done by using reusable bags, wax clothe for food packaging, giving up the use of gum (it’s composed of mostly rubber, aka. Plastic), use Tupperware whenever you can, use a reusable coffee cup and make your own cleaning products (less plastic and less toxicity). How does one rot you ask? There’s numerous methods to rot away your waste, but the most accessible is either the vermicomposting, which involves nurturing worms to break down your waste, or the Bokashi method, which relies on bacterial fermentation.

2. Limit your electricity usage

Household electricity consumption is not even considered by most people but it is one of the biggest contributors to the global carbon footprint. Buy energy-efficient equipment by checking its energy efficient rating. Appliances with higher ratings usually cost slightly more, but in the long run they’ll save you on your bill and reduce your carbon footprint. Another good idea is to get an energy audit, contact your local electrician and they’ll measure your usage and give you methods on how to reduce your bill. If you’re finding it hard to distinguish what a reputable electrician looks like, check out Power 4 All’s website. Make sure they promote their registration license!

Lastly, clean your air conditioning unit. If your unit is older, it may be working harder than it needs to. Clean the filter (found within the unit) and remove any obstacles that may be obstructing the condenser unit (located outside your home). This can save a lot of money and help reduce your footprint.

3. A step towards Solar

Reducing the consumption of fossil fuels calls for a better and sustainable alternative. This is where solar energy comes in. Incorporating a solar PV system in your household results in a whopping 80% lower carbon emission than fossil fuels. Reducing bills and saving the earth at the same time couldn’t be easier.

4. Reduce driving

Your casual drive on the weekend can have more effect on the climate than you can imagine. We suggest going for a walk instead or maybe cycling, or even choose public transport. In this way you can be a part of the government’s efforts too. This is because in the US alone, public transports save 37 million tons of carbon emission every year.

5. Eat less meat

For those who’ve managed to go vegan – well done! You’re doing great to reduce the carbon emissions associated with agriculture and livestock production. But for those who find it difficult to alter your diet, just by reducing your meat intake slightly, you can contribute to decreasing the global carbon footprint. This can seem almost impossible, but by dipping into various other foods that contain protein (such as lentils, beans, cottage cheese, nuts, seeds, and my favourite – greek yogurt), it can be highly sustainable and enjoyable!

Conclusion

We hope you found these tips helpful. These tips are the epitome of how a simple change included in your routine can lead to significant improvements to our planet’s sustainability. By incorporating these tips into your lifestyle you can lead a more satisfying and clean existence!

What Equipment Do You Need for a Solar Power System

Renewable energy sources are the future. There’s no way around it anymore – fossil fuels have made such a negative impact on the environment that we simply can’t ignore the multitude of ecological disasters that are currently affecting the planet. Global warming is rampant and the oil industry is becoming more corrupt each day.

Fortunately, people are becoming more aware of the issue and are now ready to repair the damage by investing in renewable energy and living their life more conscientiously.

This is where solar power comes in. As one of the cleanest, most sustainable energy sources available to humans, it’s set to expand and become widely used in the next few decades.

If you want to prepare for the future and start using solar energy on time, here’s what you need.

Solar panels

Solar panels are the things you see on top of people’s rooftops. They serve to catch the sun’s energy so that you could use it later, and they are the key component of any solar system. There are two types of panels: monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels. Monocrystalline panels are more expensive than polycrystalline ones, but they’re also more efficient.

How many solar panels you need to get really depends on several factors:

● Where you live

● How much sunlight you get during the day

● The size of your roof

● The amount of energy your household needs

● How efficient your solar panels are.

In countries like Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Indonesia, there are efforts to shift to renewable energy as soon as possible, and the solar industry is growing at a breakneck pace. Since these countries get plenty of daily sunlight, solar panels are being installed on top of both commercial and residential buildings. Depending on where you live, you can check whether your city is preparing similar initiatives, and whether you could get some tax benefits for installing a solar system in your home.

Solar inverter

Without an inverter, solar energy will be useless to you. Solar energy produces direct current (DC) and our homes use alternating current (AC) – it’s the role of an inverter to change DC to usable AC.

There are all sorts of inverters, and which one you choose will depend on what you can afford. In Asian countries like Hong Kong and Vietnam, the SMA Sunny Boy inverter is one of the most popular products because it has a great balance of price and value. It’s important to get a good inverter that will allow for smooth energy conversion and easy use.

Solar racking

Solar panels aren’t simply glued to the rooftop – they need a racking system. They are mounted on the racks that can then be angled on your roof to get the optimal energy levels from sun exposure. You want to make sure your solar racking is sturdy and made of quality materials that can handle weight.

Solar storage

Solar power doesn’t work only when it’s sunny outside – with the use of batteries, the energy you gather can be stored for later use, for example during the night. Solar batteries are usually stackable, which means you can stack more than one in your solar system, and good batteries will have a good balance between power and capacity.

A low capacity but high power battery can keep your entire house running for a few hours. A high capacity but low power battery can keep it running for a longer time, but you’d be able to use less electricity.

Solar performance monitoring

You want to know how your solar system is doing. A performance monitoring panel can show you how much power you’re generating, how much power you’re spending, and point out any flaws in performance. If something goes wrong, this is the first thing you should look at to find the cause.

Solar system cost

Right now, it’s not cheap. The exact price depends on factors like the size of your house, the climate you live in, and the number of panels you need, and you’ll also need to find experts who can actually install the system and rewire your entire house to make it run smoothly.

However, while it does require a hefty investment, solar systems tend to pay themselves off over the years. You’ll cut down on utility bills immensely, and it’s also entirely possible you’ll get some tax benefits from the government.

A solar system can be a part of a perfect family home if you’re ready to shift to green energy. The world is ready to invest in renewable energy sources, and if you jump on the train early, you’ll be able to contribute more to the preservation of the environment.

How to Stay Eco-Friendly During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Over the last few months, the coronavirus pandemic has dominated the world and changed the way we live our lives. With the government implementing social distancing measures, and many people being ordered to stay at home, your day to day routine has probably suffered as a result.

We all know how important it is to do our bit for the environment, so if you’re eco-conscious and wondering what steps to take, here are tips on how to stay eco-friendly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cut Down Energy Use

If you are working from home and want to make quick and easy changes to be more eco-friendly, cutting down on your energy use is the best place to start. Simple measures like switching off your smartphone or computer when they’re not in use, turning off appliances by the switch, and drying your clothes or medical scrubs outside instead of relying on a dryer can help keep your energy bills down and do your bit for the environment.

Don’t Waste Water

The coronavirus pandemic means we are not only just washing our hands more frequently, but we are potentially taking longer baths and showers. If this sounds like you, try and be more efficient with your showers so you can reduce your water waste. Whether it’s turning off the faucet as you scrub your hands, or keeping it off while you brush your teeth, you will notice a huge difference in your water bill at the end of the month once you start making changes.

Use Hand Sanitizer

If you’re going back to work or performing daily errands, bringing a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you can give you peace of mind and add an extra layer of protection against contracting the coronavirus. Hand sanitizer is deemed a green product as most of the ingredients that go into it originate from natural sources. If you run your own business, there are hand sanitizer dispensers that you can install in the workplace which will keep customers and employees safe.

Ditch Your Car

For those who are currently working from home, ditching your car for the time being is another achievable eco-friendly goal. If possible, try and walk to your grocery store rather than taking the car. Not only will you be reducing your carbon footprint by leaving your vehicle at home, but this can serve as the perfect opportunity to factor in regular exercise.

Change Your Diet

With many of us having more time on our hands than ever before, why not use this as a chance to change your diet? Rather than sitting around the house and gorging on junk food, incorporating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables onto your plate can be a great way to help the planet. Buying from farmers’ markets, consuming more plants, and choosing organic animal products should be your first step to following an eco-friendly diet.

While restrictions are beginning to ease and more and more people are being allowed to return to work and resume normal life, there are many others who are still being ordered to stay at home. No matter your circumstance, all the tips above are great ways to stay eco-friendly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

5 Perfect Tips to get an Energy-Efficient Garden

Having a home garden is a wonderful way to save money, cultivate a hobby, and teach the next generation a valuable skill that will stay with them for their entire life. We have a few ideas that will help you garden more efficiently and save energy.

To garden for pleasure is a wonderful pastime that is both peaceful, but also a great way to control your own food growth, and by extension, food consumption. You can be specific about what you plant when you harvest it, and how to properly germinate your crop to produce more plant products like fruits and vegetables.

You can also regulate what you use to kill weeds, like the best dandelion killer. That is, of course, unless you enjoy the catharsis of pulling weeds around your garden and home by hand. However, this usually is a factor in smaller gardens. Larger spans are often handled with chemicals, and at the following link you can find a dandelion killer buyer’s guide to help you make an informed choice.

The garden in today’s world

Burning yourself out and wasting tons of unnecessary money doesn’t have to be the case with the modern, energy-efficient garden. There are plenty of ways to have your veggies and eat them, too, while not pulling your hair out in frustration.

1. The soil

The better the soil, the better the growth. That is just a fact. The best soil is volcanic, but for more domestic uses, a quality potting soil that is nitrogen-rich is the best for the job. Mixing in some compost that has properly decayed is even better. And if you are feeling ambitious, manure from literally any source is a great source of nutrients plants crave.

2. Nearby trees

Planting trees, especially shade-producing trees, is a solid way to make your area cooler, and safer from the sun’s violent rays. The cooler earth, coupled with aeration from the roots, will assist in plant growth.

3. Watering, or not

Having a way to water your plants that is efficient, but not wasteful, will help you to cut your water bills, and help the environment at the same time. A watering can versus a hose is a good place to start. If you don’t want to use water, drought-resistant plants like cacti will work well for you.

4. Proper tools

Safe garden tool use that won’t hurt the plants when weeding or harvesting is the best way not to accumulate wasted product. Using hand tools versus power tools is the better way to go and will give you better control.

5. Lighting

If you want to garden for less energy consumption to keep your bills lower, solar lights are a great garden accessory to install. They use a photocell to turn on the light, and solar panels to charge it. No need to wire it to the home.

Conclusion: To garden like a pro, you have to think like a pro, and someone who has made a career out of effective, energy-efficient gardening, will know the right ways to maximize their garden’s output and produce the best product. Think of those giant tomatoes at the farmer’s market. They didn’t just happen. They were cultivated by experience, research, and time. To get your best output, do what they do, only better. Do you have an area that you use to grow your own flowers or produce?

About the Author

Archie was a builder for more than 40 years. Mainly after his retirement the enthusiastic electrical works in the garden and writes for a blog Homemakerguide.com to keep himself occupied. His many years of experience can get you the right tool reviews whether it is a drill, welding machine or so. An impressive fact to note about him is that almost everything in his house is a representation of his skills made by his hands.

The Phenomenon of Micro-Apartments: The Rising Trend in City Living

Micro-apartments are a form of smaller housing that usually ranges between 150 and 400 square feet. Aiming to combine necessity with functionality, these types of apartments provide all the essential amenities one might need in the smallest space possible. And even though micro-apartments are still a relatively new concept, they are slowly becoming the most popular accommodation option, especially among younger generations. To that end, here are some reasons why micro-apartments have become a rising trend in city living:

The importance of a prime city location

What micro-apartments lack in square footage, they often make up for in their proximity to prime locations. As this type of accommodation can usually be found in major cities across the globe, micro-apartments tend to be located in more urban and densely populated areas that generally don’t provide a lot of space, only at a more affordable price for the average tenant. What’s more, an increasing number of renters, especially younger ones who have just started living on their own, are more likely to sacrifice space, as long as that entails close proximity to schools, business centers, and other lifestyle aspects of urban areas that allow them to enjoy a life in the city. This could be one of the reasons why micro-apartments are so trendy among generations that value convenience over luxury.

The need for more affordable housing

The standard of living has typically decreased for younger generations in recent years, which might be one of the biggest reasons why micro-apartments are gaining popularity. Of course, the monthly cost of renting a micro-apartment can vary widely depending on the country, the city, and even the particular area of the city where the housing is located. However, the monthly rent is generally between 70% and 80% the price of a typical, conventionally sized apartment in the same area. This difference becomes more apparent and much more important in large American cities such as Washington DC, New York, and San Francisco, where a micro-apartment becomes the only affordable housing option for younger generations.

Unique serviced apartment experiences

Smaller apartments aren’t just a popular living arrangement; they’re also becoming one of the trendiest options when it comes to travel accommodation, whether it’s a short trip or an extended stay. For instance, businessmen and digital nomads traveling through Asia for work obligations typically opt for Hong Kong serviced apartments when they visit this major business center. The reason for this increasing popularity is not only the convenient location that serviced apartments tend to offer, but also the comfort, privacy, and a homely feel, which make for a more pleasant and unique travel experience. As many of these serviced apartments also include communal areas, such as lounges, kitchens, and workspaces, they can be suitable for anything from socializing to effortlessly taking care of essential business obligations.

Choosing efficient design over luxury

Considering the fact that renters are increasingly looking for new and fully furnished properties that align with their aspirational lifestyles, it’s no surprise that micro-apartments are becoming a rising trend. And as these tenants generally choose a creative and efficient design that offers everything they need over the luxury of wasted space, such as basements, garages, and additional rooms, smaller living spaces become the best possible solution. The limited square footage of micro-apartments means that the interior design needs to be carefully planned and thought out in advance, offering perfectly placed, essential furniture, as well as innovative storage and other space-saving solutions. Evidently, the mere nature of small apartments caters to the minimal lifestyle favored among younger generations.

A sustainable accommodation option

With the need for a simpler, more minimalist lifestyle also come more ethical and sustainable practices. Living in a small space means that there’s not enough room for excess, unnecessary belongings, which leads micro-apartment renters to reduce their need to purchase and consume resources, but rather find new ways to be more environmentally conscious. As a number of micro-apartments are also incorporated in different co-living spaces that share communal areas such as living rooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and entertainment spaces, this also means that the total amount of water and energy consumed is significantly smaller compared to conventional living arrangements, making for a more sustainable and eco-friendly housing option.

Evidently, the current housing and lifestyle trends are heavily influenced by younger people aiming for a simpler, more convenient, and more affordable living arrangement. And considering the fact that living in a micro-apartment provides all the advantages of living in an urban city, without any staggering costs, it’s safe to assume that the small living trend will only continue to rise in the future.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HANDLING ORGANIC WASTE?

Organic wastes are decomposable waste that is bio-degradable and can be soiled safely. A green bin is used to dispose of such as organic wastes. Green bins are huge, portable plastic or metal containers that can carry organic waste. The reason a green bin was introduced is to reduce the amount of waste transported to landfills by recycling waste that is biodegradable—organic wastes like soiled paper products, food wastes, pet wastes, or such similar wastes. Thus, a green bin is sought as a more convenient and feasible material.

What is organic waste?

Organic waste is produced by living organisms, unlike inorganic, which is ultimately the other polar. Which makes organic wastes compostable and completely bio-degradable.
Organic wastes are combined and entirely formed of carbon and hydrogen bonds. However, other forms of chemical waste do not contain traces of carbon.
, a major notable key feature is that organic wastes are affected by high temperatures. Heat and burning elements affect organic wastes, unlike inorganic wastes that do not burn.
All organic wastes are composed of organisms that are of living or once-living plants. Organic matter does not contain any mineral-like characteristics.
Upon further analysis, multiple research pieces suggest that organic matter is larger and more widely complex in general. When compared to inorganic wastes, they seem to be even more complicated. This complexity is sought to be present due to their structure and composition.
organic wastes are insoluble in water. Natural waste materials do not form salt. Unlike inorganic matter, which is readily soluble to form salts.
As organic waste is involved in its structure and composition, organic matter is depicted as having slower rates of an overall reaction than its counterpart.

Common examples of organic wastes

Remains of food
Fruits
Cardboards
Paper wastes
Pet wastes

How to dispose of organic waste material?

Disposing of organic waste is pretty straightforward. They are easily disposable. Organic wastes are readily biodegradable and compostable. Therefore, green waste bins are present everywhere for you to dispose of organic wastes quickly. Green waste bins in Wellington is a commonplace to mass produce green waste bins. Another common way to dispose of organic waste is by disposing of in landfills or incinerators as organic wastes are safe to be buried under the soil or burned down completely. Even though organic wastes can be incinerated, burning is not cited as one of the best possible options, as it results in forming toxic fumes that are harmful to the living.

Alternate options

Therefore, landfills are the go-to option for disposing of organic matter. But, the increase in landfills all around the localities has instigated the need to adapt an eco-friendlier method of disposing of organic waste. Therefore, better ways of handling organic waste and recycling are preferred. So, the food remains, which are a waste, are used to feed farm animals, and biological debris are disposed of through this method.

7 Tips to Switch Over to an Eco-Friendly Beauty Routine

With visiting a salon turning out to be a risky affair, it is becoming increasingly important to maintain a sustainable and eco-friendly beauty routine.

If you do a search you can actually find quite a few sustainable alternatives to the beauty products you have been using all this while. Not only are these good for your skin, but they are also inexpensive and easily available.

Here are a few things you need to keep in mind before purchasing eco-friendly beauty products:

Make sure it suits your skin type

Knowing your skin type is very essential before you select any beauty product, even if it is eco-friendly and sustainable. This way you won’t have to worry about their side effects if any.

Start slow

You don’t have to replace all your beauty products with sustainable products at once. Take one product at a time. Read a few real beauty product reviews, ask for a sample, and try it for some time. If it doesn’t suit you, replace it with another until you find something suitable.

Take a look at the packaging

Reputed eco-friendly products always come with eco-friendly packaging. If you find something wrapped up in a plastic cover, it may not be a good idea to buy. Look for products that come in glass bottles and other eco-friendly material that can be recycled.

Go through the list of ingredients

Eco-friendly beauty products are usually made up of natural and organic ingredients such as algae and marine extracts. Make sure the products you buy don’t have microbeads or micro plastics in them. When building your sustainable skincare routine, look for ingredients like cocoa butter, vegetable oils, and beeswax instead of petroleum products that could be harmful.

Replace your tools along with your products

Replace all the tools that you use such as razors, wipes, cotton pads, hair brushes, brushes, and applicators with eco-friendly alternatives. You can just cut up an old towel and make yourself seven or eight reusable pads that can be washed and used as and when you need. Go for a stainless steel safety razor rather than a plastic disposable one. Look for hairbrushes, brushes, and applicators made of bamboo with synthetic bristles.

Choose shampoo bars over shampoos

You can get rid of all the plastic bottles in your bathroom by choosing shampoo bars. They last longer than shampoos and can be used on hair and body. Explore your options and choose something that goes with your preferences.

Cut down on the number of products

You don’t have to invest in too many beauty products to keep your skin looking healthy and glowing. All that you need is a good cleanser, a skin toner, and a moisturizer that suits your skin type. Not only will you be saving a lot of your time and money, but you will also be making a lot of space on your shelves without adding to the wastages.

Always recycle your beauty products as and when you finish using them. Wash the containers and store their lids and screw tops carefully. Adopt a simple beauty routine and enjoy your natural look.

Tips for Planning an Amazing Road Trip Adventure

One of the most exciting adventures you can have is going on a road trip. Still, in order to make the most of it, you simply have to have a good plan. This includes choosing the route, possibly renting the vehicle (consider Limo Find), choosing the destination, making the itinerary, packing all the necessary gear, etc. This is especially true if you’ve never been on a road trip before.

A road trip can be taken pretty much at any time of the year, which means you have all the freedom to choose whenever suits you best. After all, freedom from having to stick to a plan somebody else made is the foundation of an experience that is a road trip. So, how should you prepare?

Packing list

Just like you make a list of the things you need to take on a regular holiday, you need to do the same when preparing for a road trip. However, this list is a bit longer. You should not forget to bring enough food that doesn’t need to be kept in the fridge, sufficient quantities of water, as well as gadgets, such as a camera, GPS, and appropriate chargers.

Also, you need a first-aid kit, toilet paper and other essentials that you wouldn’t pack if you were going to stay in a hotel. Make sure you have the right kind of clothes for the weather and don’t forget that you might need to sleep outdoors, so a sleeping bag is actually a good idea. And, bear in mind that your car also needs a few road trip accessories that can make a lot of difference and keep you out of uncomfortable situations.

Decide on your route

It’s crucial you make a solid, realistic plan when it comes to your itinerary and the distances you plan to cover. Make sure you have enough time to stop for rest and to enjoy the scenery or a town along the way. Another important thing to consider is definitely the weather. You may live in a warm area, but just a few hours’ drives from your home you might face totally different conditions, so make sure you and your vehicle are ready for such challenges.

Road safety first

Probably the most important thing when it comes to your road trip is to have a reliable and safe vehicle. It goes without saying that you need to have your car regularly serviced and have an extra service done before your trip. Another recommendation coming from the experts is to get your car insurance. It pays off to ask for car insurance quotes and choose the one that will suit your needs best. Knowing your options and all the details can save you a lot of worry and money. That way you`ll be covered and safe if something unforeseen happens.

Allow time for changes

Ideally, you should give yourself some extra time when planning a trip, in case you decide to take a detour or have a change of heart at the last moment. Remember that you are only responsible for yourself and your company, so if you wish to change the original plan, feel free to do so. Obsessing over a route and simply rushing just to make sure you stick to it will make you focus more on the plan than the experience and you just won’t be able to enjoy your trip.

Embrace nature on your trip

Taking a road trip with your family gives you an excellent opportunity to see new places and enjoy the great outdoors. You can also use that dull time while traveling from one place to another to seek ways to connect to nature. Utilize that time to explore interesting regions, soak up the sun and fresh air, play games with your kids, and learn about plants and wildlife.

Who to travel with?

Your traveling companions can make the difference between a road trip from hell and the most memorable journey ever. Everyone onboard needs to expect to spend quite a lot of time in the car, sometimes hours on end, and if they aren’t ready for that challenge, they shouldn’t come along.

A road trip can really be a great experience for everyone involved, but it can easily turn into a nightmare if you don’t plan it well. On the other hand, if you are ready, chances are you’ll have one of the best holidays in your life and you’ll start planning your next road trip as soon as this one ends!

9 Eco Friendly Beauty Tips to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Using eco-friendly products in your beauty routine does not mean you are really contributing to protecting our planet as there are several other considerations and changes you need to bring in your daily beauty routine to become more environmentally friendly. We have discussed a few below.

1. Use Less Water

Instead of washing your face by letting the water run as you splash it on your face, use a sponge or washcloth. This will not just help clean the product off your face but also help in exfoliating your skin and removing dead cells.

2. Reduce the Use of Plastic

Most beauty products come in plastic bottles that we throw away after using them. Instead of buying another bottle of the same product, get the refill packs, and use the same bottle to reduce your plastic consumption.

3. Read the Product Labels

Do not blindly buy any product but question it by reading the label carefully. You should check the ingredients of the product and google it to find out if that is detrimental to our planet. Just because a product calls itself eco-friendly does not mean it really is, it could just be a marketing tactic.

4. Use Recyclable Packaging

Opt for cosmetic products that use recyclable packaging. There are several sustainable brands that take care of such issues, stick to those brands to reduce the landfills.

5. Use Multi-Purpose Products

It is really simple, the lesser number of products you use, you will save on packaging which means less wastage. But 2 in 1 product such as foundation and powder in one. You will save money as well as save the environment.

6. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

A lot of beauty products consist of petroleum derivatives like lotions and lip balms. We know how consumption of such gas can affect our environment negatively. Avoid using any product that uses this ingredient. There are other ways you can reduce your carbon footprint such as using an eco-sauna made up of wood which is sustainable. Which kind of eco-certified wood is best for a sauna? Well, probably Cedar or Nordic spruce could be used for an eco-sauna, but there are several other options you can consider.

7. Make Homemade Beauty Products

If you are into DIY, you will find several great ideas of creating beauty care products on your own. These are more natural and better for your skin than the market bought products.

8. Simplify Your Skincare Routine

Following a lengthy skincare routine using multiple products is not the only way to go. You can simply stick to the basic which is using a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer and that is enough to maintain healthy skin.

9. Ration Your Product Usage

It is easy to overuse the products. How many times you had to wash your hands because you squeezed out excess moisturizer for the bottle? Be mindful of the amount of product you use so you can use it for a longer time.

The tips we have shared are just small changes to your beauty routine but if we all make the efforts to incorporate these tips in our daily routine, imagine the difference it will make to reduce the carbon footprint and save mother earth.