Sustainable Stays: How to Make Your Travel Eco-Friendly

Are you feeling a little green? We’re glad because it’s the best way to be. Travel can be many things – exhilarating, eye-opening, a little costly – but it can also be less-than-friendly to the planet. Think CO2-inducing plane trips, excess plastic from takeaway food and drinks, emissions caused by inefficient appliances in busy hotels, you name it.

According to Sustainable Travel International, the tourism industry is responsible for about 8% of the world’s total carbon emissions. While almost half of that is down to (you guessed it) plane travel, there are a whole lot of other areas that have major impacts on greenhouse gases. 

The good part? These areas are things that are totally in your control as a savvy greenified traveller. And because we have our planet’s best interests at heart, we’ve created an easy option for sustainable stays right here at Rambla.

From solar-powered facilities and on-site water tanks to bamboo recycled toilet paper in every room, Rambla @ Perry House is your solution to eco-friendly accommodation without compromising on quality and comfort. Let’s take a closer look at how we can all be a little more environmentally friendly when we travel.

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Understanding the Importance of Sustainable Travel

Sustainable travel is not merely a trend; it's a vital necessity for preserving our planet's natural beauty and diverse ecosystems. As responsible travellers, we have the power to protect the destinations we love by making eco-conscious choices.

Sustainable travel seeks to minimise negative environmental, social, and economic impacts while maximising the positive ones. By being mindful of our carbon footprint, supporting local communities, and respecting wildlife, we can ensure that the places we visit remain vibrant and cherished for generations to come.

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Sustainable Stays: Options for Responsible Travel

When it comes to sustainable travel, your means of transport is an essential part of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Right now, transport is actually the number one source of carbon emissions within the tourism industry. While we all need to get from A to B safely and effectively, it’s best to choose greener options wherever possible. 

Planes of course emit the most emissions, followed by large cars and motorcycles, while trains and ferries emit the least. So, if you can opt for train trips, breezy ferry rides, or even tour buses over big bulky SUVs, you’re well on the way to greenifying your travel.

Another impactful way to practise sustainable travel is by choosing eco-friendly accommodations. Fortunately, the travel industry is witnessing a growing number of sustainable stay options that blend comfort with environmental responsibility. From eco-resorts nestled in natural surroundings to eco-lodges that prioritise renewable energy sources, these accommodations offer the perfect blend of sustainability and comfort.

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Mindful Travel Tips for Travellers on Eco-Friendly Travel

Embrace mindful travel practices to ensure that your adventures are eco-friendly and leave a positive impact on the places you visit. Here are some practical tips to get you started on your journey towards responsible travel:

Pack Light and Smart: Travel with a reusable water bottle, eco-friendly toiletries, and reusable bags to minimise single-use plastic waste.

Choose Sustainable Transportation: Opt for public transport, cycling, or walking when exploring a city or region, reducing your carbon emissions. If possible, consider using electric scooters or bicycles to explore the city in an eco-friendly manner.

Cook Meals Instead of Ordering Takeaway: We know how easy it is to grab a quick ready-made meal when you’re travelling. After all, most hotels don’t have kitchens or kitchenettes equipped enough (or even big enough) to do any sort of cooking. Luckily, serviced apartments come with furnished and well-equipped kitchens that you can cook your own meals in, which in turn helps reduce all that plastic in takeaways. Check out some home-cooked meal inspo for the next time you travel.

Support Local Communities: Engage with local businesses, artisans, and tour operators to contribute to the economic well-being of the communities you visit. Purchasing locally made souvenirs and products not only supports the local economy but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods from afar.

Conserve Water and Energy: Be mindful of water and energy usage in your accommodations, just as you would at home. Turn off lights, air conditioning, and electronics when not in use, and reuse towels and linens to reduce water consumption.

Respect Wildlife and Nature: Observe wildlife from a distance, avoid disturbing their habitats, and refrain from buying products made from endangered species. Participate in responsible wildlife encounters that prioritize animal welfare and conservation efforts.

Offset Your Carbon Footprint: Consider supporting carbon offset programs to compensate for the emissions generated during your travel. Many organisations offer carbon offsetting options, where your contributions go towards projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or promote reforestation.

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Eco-Travel Initiatives: It’s Easy Being Green at Rambla @ Perry House

When it comes to sustainable travel choices, Rambla is where it’s at. It’s lucky that green is one of our favourite colours, because at our serviced apartments, we’ve imbued eco-friendly practices at every turn.

We know it can be difficult to remember all of the tips above – you’re a busy traveller on-the-go with plenty of things to do – so we’ve made things a little easier for you. When you stay at Rambla, you can rest easy knowing that sustainable travel is baked right into your room, amenities, and common areas.

Solar Powered Common Areas

First and foremost at Perry House, you’ll find that all of our common areas are driven by the ultimate source of renewable energy – the sun! Solar panels installed on our rooftop ensure that every communal area is as energy efficient as possible, meaning that all our guests can work on reducing their carbon footprints without even trying. You can bask in solar-powered goodness while sweating it out in the gym, working hard in the co-working space, and getting from here to there in our downstairs lobby and corridors.

Electric Car Charging Station

We have an on-site garage, so why not install an on-site charging port? We know car travel is often an essential part of travel, especially when you’re travelling for work and have lots of important meetings to zip off to. So, we’re sweetening the option by encouraging you to drive electric.

If you’re looking for a hire car for your next Brisbane trip, try snagging an electric model if it’s available. You can charge up in your own home base before zooming around town in the ultimate sustainable travel option.

Digital Check-In

You know those pesky plastic access cards you get at hotels? They seem harmless when you travel, but multiply those bits of plastic by all the hotels in the world and all the rooms in those hotels – that’s maths we can’t even comprehend.

As an eco-friendly alternative, we’ve implemented contactless digital check-in to our serviced apartments. This means that your key card is sent to your phone for quick, easy, plastic-free check-in and room access. Plus, there’s no waiting around at reception desks when you check in and out. 

Water Tanks

Water waste is another huge component of CO2 in the tourism industry. While water tanks are nothing new, it’s still as important as ever to have them in larger dwellings. Our water tanks ensure optimal water usage and recycling, limiting waste and helping you to go green simply by staying in our serviced apartments.

Carbon Monoxide Sensors

Did you know that carbon monoxide sensors actually help the environment? Aside from being incredibly useful at detecting noxious gases in the air, these handy sensors help to keep the air and environment clean by letting us know straight away when harmful carbon monoxide is around.

Once you hear that alarm, you can simply switch off the source of the carbon monoxide (like the clothes dryer) and keep the air fresh as a daisy. Talk about sustainable stays.

Bathroom Products

Who doesn’t love the toiletries and luxe bath products included in hotel and serviced apartment stays? We’re suckers for exotic body wash and shampoo bottles, so we’ve stocked every one of our rooms with only the best – and the most eco-friendly.

When you stay at Rambla @ Perry House, you’ll enjoy your own range of Australian-made Peter Morrissey shower products. These delicious-smelling and skin-and-hair perfecting lotions are part of Vanity Group’s environmental policy, which means that they use:

• Fully recyclable packaging
• Refillable rather than single-use bottles
• No animal testing
• Product processes that prioritise reduced carbon emissions, waste, and pollution through recyclable-first policies

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Who Gives A Crap Toilet Paper

This is one of our favourites. At Rambla, we’ve opted to fit out every one of our rooms with eco-friendly toilet paper. Who Gives A Crap creates 100% recycled toilet paper, which is not to say they recycle ‘used’ toilet paper (ew). Instead, their products are made from fully-recycled post-consumer paper, which is basically recycled office paper. 

They also use bamboo materials for some of their TP. As bamboo is highly fast-growing, it’s much better on the planet to harvest than trees. Who Gives A Crap also donates 50% of their profits to help build toilets and sanitary outlets in developing areas. It’s a win-win, and all you have to do is stay at Rambla.

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Opt for Sustainable Stays at Rambla

Embrace the power of sustainable travel to ensure that your adventures leave a positive impact on the environment and communities you visit. By choosing eco-friendly accommodations, practising mindful travel, and supporting sustainable initiatives, you can create cherished memories while safeguarding our planet's natural wonders. 

Ready to take the first step? Let's make every journey a greener one, starting with sustainable stays at Rambla @ Perry House in Brisbane. And as a little thank you, we’ve arranged for a cheeky 5-10% off your stay when you book direct with us.