Sustainable Travel

There are lots of steps you can take to respect the local people, the cultural heritage, environment and local economy while you're abroad. Many suggestions are simple and can easily be adopted. You'll want to continue the sustainable practices you already implement in Boulder, and bring practices you learn abroad back with you after your program. Want to be more sustainable during your time abroad? 

Make an Impact

 

Environmental Considerations
  • Pack Smart
    • Pack a reusable water bottle, reusable grocery bags and produce bags, reusable to-go containers/sandwich bags and reef-safe sunscreen.
    • Don't overpack. You'll need less than you think! 
  • Travel Smart
    • Explore your host city! Rather than traveling every weekend, stay in your host city more often and explore everything it has to offer, including local festivals, restaurants, hikes, etc! This will help you feel like a local while cutting down on your carbon footprint.
    • Explore your host country through slow travel! Take advantage of trains and buses and get to know your host country. Check out the carbon footprint comparison chart to see the difference between train and flight travel.  
    • Consider using carbon offset programs like Climate Trust,Native EnergyorTerraPass when booking flights.
    • Walk, bike, and take public transportation when possible.
    • Use accommodations and transportation that are sustainable.
    • Do not collect, buy, or export endangered natural products.
  • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
    • Follow local recycling rules and schedules.
    • If you leave items behind in your host-country, be sure to recycle or donate them rather than throwing them away. Ask your provider for help with this!
    • Once you are back on campus, we invite you to donate your international charger/adapter for future abroad students to use. If you have a charger you wish to donate, you can drop it off at CU’s Environmental Center in the University Memorial Center, room 355. Do your part to keep electronics out of our landfills, and help out a future abroad student!
  • Other Considerations
    • Research the environmental issues in the location you are traveling and consider the impacts that you as a traveler and other travelers may have on the local environment. 
    • Drink tap water where it is potable.
    • Choose low-impact recreational activities.
    • Do not disturb wildlife.
Thanks to the University of Minnesota, the University of Oregon and the University of Denver for many of these tips. 
Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Consider how environmental justice impacts your host community, and how your actions make an impact. Supporting local businesses increases the likelihood that local people benefit economically from your visit. 
  • Eat and stay at local establishments.
  • Buy locally produced goods and food.
  • Spend money at a variety of restaurants and shops.
  • Contribute to the local community by using local services as much as possible.
  • Although it’s tempting, think about the impact of buying lots of fast fashion outfits while abroad.  

Our Education Abroad alumni and Sustainable Buffs Abroad Scholarship recipients have put together the following advice on ways to be more sustainable while studying abroad!