How To Make Your Trip To London More Sustainable

London - Photo by Pixabay via Pexels

London is such a fantastic city for so many reasons, from the food to the history and culture, however as with many cities across the world, they aren’t the most eco-friendly at times. Some very small adjustments can make the biggest difference if you’re wanting to make your trip more sustainable, and we’re here with a few tips to help you get there! 

Take A Reusable Water Bottle

The first thing you should do is to take a reusable water bottle with you. If you grab a bottle of water every couple of hours, not only will you end up spending a lot of money, but there will also be a lot of waste involved. 

So, instead, take a reusable water bottle with you and keep it in your bag. Then, go to Refill London, a website that will tell you exactly where you can refill your bottle during the day! There are over 5000 refill stations across the capital, including many independent cafes and also high street chains. On the most part, cafes and restaurants will be more than happy to fill your bottle up for you anyway! This is a small change that can make a big difference. 

If you’re a lover of hot drinks, then you should do the same thing with a takeaway cup. A lot of places will offer a discount if you use a reusable cup, so you save even more money whilst also helping the environment! 

Utilize Public Transport

Another way to make your trip more sustainable is to utilize public transport. Depending on where you are visiting, you will likely fly in, get the train or you may drive and choose a car park in London. Then, once you’re in the city, rather than driving or choosing taxis, make the most of all the amazing public transport, from buses to the tube. 

You could also try your hand at cycling, with plenty of Santander Cycles available all across the city that you can pick up and drop off. There are 800 stations and 12,000 bikes across the city, and you can hire one from just £1.65. Get yourself the app and it’ll make life easier! 

The cheapest and most eco-friendly option is to explore by foot of course, plus this is a great way to discover small corners of the city that you might otherwise miss. London is a city that is designed for walking, and whilst you might struggle to see the whole city by foot (unless you live there), there is plenty that you can see whilst you’re there! Whether you set off on foot on the day or you get the tube to your location then walk around, we’d definitely recommend planning in walking for your trip. Take comfortable shoes, an umbrella and take a few layers with you, and you’ll get to see so much of this beautiful city. 

Support Local Markets

Something else you can do is to support local markets, cafes and restaurants rather than chains. Typically local, independent restaurants, will source their ingredients locally rather than importing, which significantly reduces the environmental impact. You’re also boosting the local economy and fostering unique community character, which brings along unique products and shorter supply chains. So, forget about your favourite chains during the trip and instead commit to exploring what the local area has to offer. You’ll be pleasantly surprised, we’re sure!  

Stay In Eco-Conscious Hotels

Another big difference you can make is to stay in eco-conscious hotels. Do a bit of research to find hotels who take their environmental commitment seriously, and you’ll be doing your bit. From how they conserve energy and water, through to their recycling and waste management policies, using non-toxic products, sourcing local products and foods, supporting community and utilising renewable energy, there is so much that can be done by hotels. A simple search for “eco-friendly hotels” with the area of London you want to stay in and you’ll find plenty of options. 

An example would be Flemings in Mayfair, who have a kitchen garden with beehives to help minimise waste, use seasonal ingredients and donate any food surplus to charity. They also commit to their sustainability in all elements of the hotel, reducing waste and using sustainable materials throughout the hotel. They also work with local homeless charities, providing meals and essentials to the homeless. This is just one example, with plenty more amazing hotels all across the city. 

Final Thoughts

It’s absolutely possible to make your trip to London more eco-friendly, with a few simple changes that go a long way. You can also take many of these tips to your travel in general, with a bit of research before you go making all the difference! Enjoy your time in London without it having too much of an impact on the environment. 

This post was generously provided by:

Darcy Fowler

"After completing a University degree in Journalism, Darcy Fowler has dedicated a lot of time to interior design, exterior design and home decor; completing multiple home design projects in the process. Darcy is determined to provide interesting and insightful content with the hope of inspiring others. She has a big ambition to establish herself in the world of home renovation and design journalism."

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