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eco-friendly

Plan an eco-friendly holiday to Malta

It’s time to start planning our summer holidays and while we should be thinking about the number of flights we take in a year, my love of travelling is one that I am struggling to come to terms with, and I imagine others also struggle.

That’s why with One Sky Collaborative , our focus will be on reducing our footprint, on taking small steps and making smarter choices.

One of those smarter choices can be to travel closer to home and one country in Europe that we have yet to visit is Malta. I went looking to see how we could plan an eco-friendly holiday to Malta and I’ve listed four top tips.

Eco-Friendly Holiday Tips

Malta is one of Europe’s most beautiful holiday destinations but as with any popular spot, it’s vulnerable to environmental damage caused by excessive tourism. If you’re trying to minimise your environmental impact, you may be wondering how to plan an eco-friendly visit to the island. Here are four tips for keeping your Maltese holiday eco-friendly.

1. Use public transport

As a keen cyclist and active travel advocate, I was impressed with the number of dedicated cycle lanes and quiet roads, especially in the more rural areas, which are suitable for cycling. There are also several cycling routes that provide over 1000kms of wonderful cycling around Malta, offering a great way to explore the island’s natural beauty, historical sites, and villages. Surely there’s no better way to have an eco-friendly holiday than by travelling by bike?

That being said, Malta is a relatively small island with a high population density, so the roads can be quite busy in certain areas, especially during peak traffic hours. Additionally, some roads may be narrow and winding, making them less safe for cycling. While I might be ok, I would have to consider my family

It’s also worth noting that the hot and humid climate in Malta during the summer months can make cycling quite uncomfortable, particularly during the middle of the day. So, while cycling in Malta is certainly possible and enjoyable for many people, it’s important to be aware of the potential challenges and take appropriate precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.

Malta is a small enough country that you can visit every corner of it during a single holiday, and many visitors opt to rent a car so they can do exactly that. The trouble is that cars aren’t very eco-friendly. To reduce your environmental impact and to avoid the potential dangers of cycling, maybe consider using Malta’s bus network instead which is extensive enough to help you reach all the must-see attractions.

There are more than 2,000 bus stops dotted across the island, and if you invest in an Explore travel card at the start of your holiday, you can make fantastic savings compared to buying a ticket for each individual journey. Be sure to also check out the hop-on, hop-off buses which make it easy to tour multiple landmarks within a single day.

Photo by Anastasiya Dalenka on Unsplash

2. Plan an agritourism experience

Agritourism is the process of touring agricultural locations while on holiday to learn about farming in the local area. Agritourism experiences often allow you to spend time working on a farm to learn about cultivating the land or rearing livestock. It can provide a source of income for farmers, as well as create jobs in related industries such as hospitality and tourism. It can also help to diversify a region’s economy and increase its competitiveness. It’s a brilliant way to find out about the lives, culture and traditions of locals while gaining insight into the land’s native produce. You can also expect to learn about the ecological challenges that farmers face and lend support in protecting the local environment.

An agritourism experience is a fantastic way to get in touch with nature in Malta and support local farmers who are invested in protecting rural areas and maintaining sustainable farming practices. For more information on agritourism in Malta, check out Malta Sunripe.

3. Volunteer at an animal sanctuary

Among Malta’s best cultural hotspots are a number of animal sanctuaries where you can donate your time to help take care of animals in need and support fundraising efforts. It’s a brilliant way to build a deeper connection with Malta and the locals who dedicate their spare time to protecting the island’s wildlife. Spending a day on an activity like this is a fantastic opportunity to give back to the local community and reflect on the impact that humans have on animals and the natural world.

Photo by Rick Barton on Unsplash

4. Look out for water refill points

I love topping up my water bottle from fountains while on holiday and with tap water in Malta being completely safe drink there’s no need to buy bottled water during your visit and contribute to plastic waste. Instead, bring a reusable water bottle and look out for WaterPoint Outlets which supply cold, fresh water straight from the mains supply for just 15 cents per litre. You can fill a container as large as five litres in a single transaction, so it’s easy to stay hydrated when you’re out and about, although you’ll need a drink after carrying a five litre container of water

Consider Malta’s environment to maintain its beauty

It’s vital that we all take steps to minimise our environmental impact if we’re to protect our favourite holiday destinations for generations to come. By making your trip to Malta eco-friendly, you can do your bit to preserve the island’s natural beauty.

February 22, 2023 0 comment

Reviews

Ultimate Sustainable Gift Guide – Part 1

written by Stephen Morrison

It’s that time of year when your favourite bloggers and influencers share their Christmas gift ideas and I thought I would join in on the fun with my Ultimate Sustainable Gift Guide Part 1.

Over the next few weeks you’ll find my Ultimate Sustainable Gift Guide listing some of my favourite eco-friendly gifts (some I own, some I want to own…hint hint). Now, ideally we should be cutting down our consumption of plastic based goods (there’s no debating that we produce and dump too much plastic), but it is Christmas and all the gifts in my ultimate sustainable gift guide are good to give. You’ll be helping to save the planet (that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it) and supporting the development of sustainable products and alternative materials.

So, get yourself comfy, and get ready to fall in love with shoes that won’t leave a carbon footprint, athletic wear that isn’t fast, soaps that won’t greenwash, and books that won’t read you the riot act, but will provide you with more insight into why we all need to act now.

Sustainable Shoes

When it comes to trainers, my personal collection has diminished over the years, as my running days became numbered and since I started to consider not just how good my trainers looked but also how they were made. It’s been encouraging to see more and more brands pledging their support to more eco-friendly and more ethical means of production. Many of the household brands, such as adidas (read my adidas blog here), are using ocean bound plastic in their manufacturing, but I want to highlight to you the brands that are truly making waves.

The Degenerate

The first is UNLESS Collective with their “The Degenerate” Shoes. These are claimed to be the best shoes for the planet and it is hard to disagree. I have them on order for release in January, but what makes The Degenerate special and my number one pick?

Obviously, they look good, but it’s not a matter of style over substance. The Degenerates are made from plants and minerals and contain no plastic or petrochemicals. If that’s not good enough, it’s what happens to them once you’ve walked enough miles in them. Return them to the UNLESS Collective and they will ensure that they are decomposed and returned back to the earth in the form of soil products. This is circular fashion at its finest. From the earth and to the earth, and at $130 they won’t cost you the earth. UNLESS sells all manner of sustainable clothing, but click here for more information about The Degenerate.

The Wool Dasher Mizzle

Before I was won over by The Degenerate, I almost pressed the buy button on these Allbirds Wool Dasher Mizzle shoes (sale items are currently flying off the shelves). I still might, but I am trying to cut down on my shoe buying, remember.

As well as using recycled plastic bottles to make the shoe laces, Allbirds uses ZQ Certified Merino wool, sugar cane based EVA, natural rubber and even castor bean based foam to make a carbon neutral waterproof running shoe. Yes, even the water repellent coating is bio-based and fluorine free. With Glasgow’s drizzle, the Mizzle is still on my wish list. Check out the Allbirds sale page where you can buy a pair of Allbirds for a song.

The Blue Phoenix

A return to Copenhagen might be on the cards next year. No, my marathon running isn’t rising from the ashes (have I ever mentioned that I ran the Copenhagen marathon?). Instead I might be accompanying my partner who might be presenting at a medical conference. If we do go, I will be coming home with a pair of Vaer’s Blue Phoenix.

These stunning trainers use strong materials, including cut offs of jeans and tablecloths, recycled rubber and cotton, and natural fibers to make durable shoes that stand the test of time. Ideally the soles of these will be replaced when needed adding more years to their use.

The Carlo

While brands like Veja and Cariuma are notable omissions with low carbon emissions, my last pick are TOMS’ Carlo trainers. Over the years, I have bought my girlfriend TOMS’ Alps for our summer holidays in the Alps but I’ve recently been made aware of their efforts not only to improve the sustainability of their shoes but also their ethical approach. Sustainability isn’t just about zero plastic production, it’s also about the economic impact of production. TOMS are committed to donating one third of their profits to community projects, with a focus on mental health, gun violence, and on supporting marginalised groups.

TOMS have created an Earthwise collection “rooted in earth-friendly materials and processes” which include The Carlo above. Using bio-based EVA and plant based dyes, TOMS have vowed to slash their environmental impact by 2025. The clock is ticking, but they are making major changes and this has to be applauded.

And that clock is ticking for us all. It is estimated that by 2050 that there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish. One way we can prevent this is by buying less plastic goods and buying more sustainable products. If you are in the market for a new pair of trainers, please do have a look at the suggestions above in my Ultimate Sustainable Gift Guide Part 1 and look out for Part 2 on the best eco-friendly clothing.

December 11, 2022 0 comment