How can you make your business travel environmentally sustainable as an Office Administrator?

2 Pack light and smart

The second step to make your business travel more sustainable is to pack light and smart. The more weight you carry, the more fuel your transport will consume, and the more emissions it will produce. Therefore, try to pack only the essentials, and use a carry-on bag instead of a checked luggage. This will also save you time and money at the airport. Additionally, pack smart by bringing reusable items, such as water bottles, coffee cups, cutlery, and bags. This will help you avoid single-use plastics and disposable products that generate waste and pollution.

3 Stay in green hotels

The third step to make your business travel more sustainable is to stay in green hotels. Green hotels are hotels that have adopted environmentally friendly practices, such as using renewable energy, saving water, recycling waste, and providing organic or local food. You can find green hotels by looking for certifications, such as LEED, Green Key, or Green Globe, or by using online platforms, such as BookDifferent or GreenHotelWorld. By staying in green hotels, you can support their efforts to reduce their environmental impact and enjoy a more comfortable and healthy stay.

4 Eat and shop locally

The fourth step to make your business travel more sustainable is to eat and shop locally. Eating and shopping locally means choosing food and products that are produced and sold in the area you are visiting. This way, you can reduce the transportation and packaging of your food and goods, and thus lower your carbon footprint. Moreover, you can support the local economy, culture, and community, and experience the authentic flavors and crafts of your destination. You can find local restaurants and shops by asking for recommendations from your hotel staff, colleagues, or clients, or by using online guides, such as HappyCow or LocalEats.

5 Follow the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The fifth step to make your business travel more sustainable is to follow the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. These are the three basic principles of waste management that can help you minimize your environmental impact. Reduce means to use less of everything, such as water, energy, paper, and toiletries. You can do this by turning off the lights and appliances when not in use, taking shorter showers, printing only when necessary, and bringing your own toiletries. Reuse means to use something more than once, such as towels, sheets, clothes, and containers. You can do this by hanging your towels and sheets to indicate that you don't need them changed, wearing your clothes more than once, and using your own containers for leftovers or takeout. Recycle means to turn something into something else, such as plastic, metal, paper, and glass. You can do this by sorting your waste into the appropriate bins, or by taking it with you if there are no recycling facilities available.

6 Offset your emissions

The sixth step to make your business travel more sustainable is to offset your emissions. Offsetting your emissions means to compensate for the greenhouse gases that you have produced by supporting projects that reduce or prevent them elsewhere. For example, you can offset your emissions by planting trees, investing in renewable energy, or funding community development. You can find offsetting programs online, such as Carbon Footprint, MyClimate, or Terrapass, or through your travel agency, airline, or hotel. By offsetting your emissions, you can balance out your environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.