The environment matters wherever you go! Below is a list of tips and tricks to help promote sustainable travel. Sustainable travel is about adopting sustainable practices to lessen the negative environmental effects that accompany travel.
UN SDG Goals: This page explains each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and what they aim to achieve, with short descriptions of the targets and related topics. You can use it to understand what each goal covers and how the goals are organized, with links to additional UN background and progress information.
UN SDG Data Portal – Country Profiles: This site shows official UN SDG data for each country, organized by goal and indicator (like poverty, health, education, and climate). You can check a country’s numbers over time (when available) to see where it’s improving, falling behind, or missing data.
SDG Index & Dashboards: This site offers an at-a-glance dashboard for each country that summarizes overall progress across all 17 SDGs using standardized scores, color-coded performance levels, and trend directions. It’s useful for comparing countries and quickly identifying which goals are strongest or lagging, along with headline metrics that contextualize national performance.
Incorporate U-M’s general Sustainability Tips into your daily life during travel
The waste reduction, energy and food tips can be applied to general life!
Global Road Warrior is a database accessible through U-M libraries that gives you general information on the country you will be traveling to.
this can help you brainstorm ways to sustainably travel within your country i.e. transportation options and general environmental issues to pay attention to
Stay Local Weekends
Take the Stay Local pledge to make a personal commitment to make conscientious choices about your travel activities and stay local during the Big Impact Small Footprint weekends.
Share what you did during your Stay Local Weekend! Your story and/or photos could be featured on our U-M promotional materials!
When you get to your destination, be sure to look into areas near you with filtered water systems like drinking fountains to refill your water bottle!
Some areas do not have clean drinking water. If that is the case, look into buying water purification tablets or filtering straws to reduce the amount of plastic bottles you’re using
Reusable Bag
Always be sure to have a reusable bag such as a tote or reusable grocery bag on hand when traveling in case you need to do any type of shopping!
Rethink your toiletries
When packing toiletries think about ways to reduce your plastic use:
Refrain from using small disposable shampoo and conditioner in hotels
Bring a soap bar instead of body wash, reusable razor heads, and refillable shampoo and conditioner bottles
Look online to find sustainable travel-sized essentials i.e. deodorant
Solar Powered Electronics
Consider bringing solar-powered portable chargers
Consider bringing versatile clothing items to reduce the amount of items you need to pack and new clothes you need to buy
Bring clothes that can easily be washed by hand! (for a reduction in washing and ease if you do not have access to laundry machines)
Bring a drain stop to collect water in the sink to wash clothes
Use bio-degradable soap to handwash
When staying at a hotel, request to have your room cleaned post check out, not during, to reduce the amount of energy and water consumed
Unplug all electronics
Opt for a homestay with a vetted host family – these tend to be more environmentally conscious compared to large hotels and allow you to immerse yourself in local culture!
Before booking, try to do research beforehand on sustainable and eco-friendly accommodation options
Try to bike and walk when safe and reasonable to do so!
If your destination is further than a walk or bike, opt for safe, reliable forms of public transportation (i.e. take a bus or train whenever possible)
Before traveling, research the most cost-effective way to access public transport passes
As a UMICH student, you have access to a website calledGlobal Road Warrior which can give you tips and tricks on all travel to that country including transportation!
Fly Non-Stop- avoiding layovers and pit stops can greatly reduce your carbon emissions
Choose e-tickets rather than paper tickets
When driving, opt for e-vehicles/hybrid vehicles or ride-shares
Offset Carbon Emissions
Research airlines that have offset carbon emissions options
Eat plant-based when possible! Reducing meat consumption is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint
If you are a meat-eater, be sure to eat sustainable and locally sourced meat
When buying groceries, try to shop for seasonal items
When buying snacks, buy from locally-owned businesses
When eating out, opt for reusable utensils and reusable containers, when available
If you are a tea/coffee drinker, look into reusable mug discounts for cafes abroad
Single-use items, such as coffee cups and shopping bags, easily add up in landfills. To combat this, more and more companies are starting to try to do their part by encouraging customers to use their own reusable cups – and incentivizing the act with discounts.
Use the Too Good To Go App, a free mobile app that connects users with local restaurants, cafes, and bakeries to purchase surplus, unsold food at the end of the day for a significant discount, typically 70% off. The goal is to reduce food waste and environmental impact, allowing customers to buy “Surprise Bags” of food that would otherwise be thrown away.
Buy intentional souvenirs at local vendors
Reduces negative environmental impact of shipping costs
Be intentional with what you consume and consider the lasting value of your purchases-many souvenirs end up being discarded
Respect Wildlife
Refrain from feeding wildlife
Keep distance and quiet voices around them
Explore the culture through walking or hiking
Research the recycling initiatives and habits of the country you are visiting in
For a downloadable version see the Sustainable Travel Flyer
