The summer holidays are finally here and millions of us are looking for a well-earned break. But remember, the environment doesn’t get a break, so we want you to keep up with your eco-efforts when you travel this summer. It doesn’t matter whether you stay here in the UK or you’re going abroad, there are always things you can do to help make a difference. It’s as simple as switching your worker hat for an outrageous holiday sombrero. Take a look at our top tips for UK holiday ideas while staying eco-friendly when you go on holiday this summer.
UK holiday ideas
The excitement for your UK road trip is finally here! Whether you’re packing up the car for a week in the Lake District or down in Cornwall, we’ve got plenty of tips and tricks to keep your holiday eco and inexpensive. Just think of your UK holiday as a temporary moving home. For example, taking items with you to avoid waste.
If you’re heading down to a caravan site or self-catering cottage you want to be bringing essentials with you to avoid waste. Things like washing up liquid, shampoo, conditioner. Anything that typically is purchased in a plastic bottle is a great place to start. When you began your waste reduction journey, whatever products you purchased first are the ones to bring with you. Away from home, they’ll be the ones you typically create more waste from.

All of our UK holiday ideas have the theme of waste reduction, but this next one is our favourite. Saving money. Times are tough, and your UK holiday is potentially already more expensive than you anticipated with rising fuel costs. So make sure you’re saving where possible by using public transport or better yet – your bicycle!
If you can take your bicycle with you on holiday, make sure you use it as much as possible to save on fuel costs. Not to mention the carbon footprint saving of not driving everywhere!

Of course, we cannot forget about packed lunches. We’ve been preaching this for years. Whether you’re off to work for the day or on holiday going to the seaside. Take food with you. Meal deals and other food on the go are the exact type of activity likely to create more waste. Before you leave in the morning make yourself some lunches and snacks that will last in the heat.
All of these UK holiday ideas will help reduce your impact while away from home, but if you look closely, they’ll also save you money.
Eco-tips when you travel abroad
It goes without saying that going abroad via plane isn’t the most eco-friendly action. But as long as you’re not flying each month for weekends away, you’re doing less harm than most flyers. So instead of reeling about the damage that comes from a single flight – we know you’re already aware – we’re going to take a look at tips to reduce your impact after reaching your destination.

If you’re lucky enough to be travelling to an all-inclusive hotel it can be very easy to consume as much as possible. But remember, that’s a quick way to create waste. Especially when it comes to the restaurant. Just because you can pile you plate sky high with pizza, chips and chicken nuggets, it doesn’t mean you should. Encourage your children to take small portions and then make a second journey (with the same plate) if they’re still hungry. Reducing food waste and minimising the energy needed to clean plates in one action – genius.
Another way to keep your carbon footprint down when on holiday is to enjoy the facilities nearby. It can be tempting to go on multiple day trips via a coach or private taxi. But try to limit these. Remember all the carbon used for your flight? Make the most of things nearby. Walk into the local town, grab a ride with the local taxi bike or you can just sit and enjoy the entertainment provided by the hotel.

This next tip might seem like common sense, and it could also be incorporated into our UK holiday ideas. However, buying random souvenirs and leaving behind items in your accommodation is a very common way to create waste.
One of the best memories you can have from a holiday are the photos, so if you’re buying a special photo frame we can forgive that. But things like ornaments, rocks from beaches, t-shirts with bright bold writing all the way down to bouncy balls from toy shops. They’re all items you do not need. Of course, there are some functional souvenirs like bottle openers and hats, but try to limit yourself. If you do not need it – do not buy it.
That being said, another way to avoid waste on holiday is to not leave anything behind. If there’s leftover shampoo in the bathroom, take it home where you will use it. The hotel may throw away half-used bottles as they cannot give them to other guests.
We’ve shared all of our tips for UK holiday ideas and trips abroad this year. There’s no reason to not continue your eco-efforts just because you’re away from home. Recycling bins may accept different items but that only means you need to find new ways to make a difference. Remember reducing waste is more important than recycling it. Let us know in the comments below any tips and tricks you use when you go on holiday.
8 Responses
My reply does not relate to a holiday but I was extremely glad of your suggestion about saving clingfilm and flimsy plastics and recycling them at my local Morrisons and Sainsburys. I had noticed these containers previously but thought they were simply for plastic carrier bags which I haven’t used for many years.
We’re so happy to hear it Julia. Thank you for using them!
All these things relate to fit or younger people what about the older person who cannot walk/use public transport/ride a bike/wait in a queue for a taxi, have to get food deliveries where food arrives nearly out of date/squashed/not fresh l.e. Cauliflowers gone soft and limp so you can’t eat the green leaves as no longer in any sort of protection . What about the immunosuppressive who have to stay away from others in case they catch covid etc? It would be nice to have info for us the disabled who can’t even go out,
Hi Linda, this is a great question to raise and certainly something we will now keep front of mind in our advice
well said Linda they always tend to forget we exsist
I take my metal drinking bottle in my hand luggage, emptying it before security and then refilling it airside. It’s also great for days out on holiday as you’ll always have a cold drink however hot it gets unlike taking a single use plastic bottle of water with you.
I tend not to check in luggage and just take hand luggage where possible to save time, but I’ve noticed that this has significant bonuses on the amount of things I take. To reduce the time at security, I’ve resorted to buying toothpaste tablets, solid shampoo and body washes, resulting in less plastic too. Saving the planet and my time!
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