You know how you’re always asking what it’s like to travel far away? When I went to South Korea, it wasn’t just a normal trip. It felt like I was on a secret mission to see how many eco-friendly choices I could sneak into my journey without going full superhero mode.
First off, airports. I brought my own water bottle and used the refill stations they had dotted around. I’d kind of gotten into the habit back home, but it really paid off over there. Not only did I avoid buying loads of plastic bottles, but I also didn’t have to worry about whether the water was safe like in some other countries.
When I landed in Korea, it was hectic. Taxi drivers were everywhere trying to get people to jump in. Honestly, after dragging my luggage halfway across the planet, it was tempting. But I’d planned ahead and took the airport bus instead. It was cheaper, less stressful, and better for the environment.
For places to stay, I picked hostels over hotels. They use less energy, and I got to meet other travellers who were also trying to be more sustainable. Kind of felt like being part of a little green community.
Now, Korea takes recycling seriously. Like, properly seriously. Every building has separate bins for food waste, plastics, paper — even chopsticks. Most places use reusable metal ones, which is honestly brilliant. No more throwing away wooden chopsticks after one use like we do back home. It made me realise how automatic waste has become for us.
Food-wise, I stuck to a lot of vegetarian meals since I have strict dietary needs as a Muslim. Turns out, cutting back on meat is also great for the planet, so that was a win-win.
One thing from uni stuck with me too — Ecosia, the search engine that plants trees with every search. My university set it as the default on all their computers, so I just kept using it. Little changes like that start to become second nature.
Korea’s also big on digital receipts. Shops send e-tickets straight to your phone, which cuts down on paper waste. Smoking isn’t allowed just anywhere either, they have designated zones, which keep the streets tidy and the air clearer.
By the end of the trip, I realised that sustainable travel isn’t about doing something huge or difficult. It’s just about being a bit more aware and making small choices that add up over time.
So yeah, that was my trip. Less of a holiday and more of a sneaky eco-mission. And the best part? I didn’t even need a cape
