Discover our guide to eco-responsible summer vacations in Brittany
Summer vacations are ideal for rest and relaxation with friends and family. Picnics are on the agenda, outdoor activities, A wide range of leisure activities that can have an impact on our planet if we're not careful.
It's possible to enjoy the summer in an environmentally-friendly way! Whether you're going on vacation or staying at home, Naéco has put together a simple guide to best practices for an eco-responsible summer.
Before the trip
There's no need to go to the other side of the world to enjoy a great vacation. You don't have to go to the other side of the world to enjoy a great holiday. Sometimes, you can find little corners of paradise just 2/3 hour from home. Brittany, for example, is full of surprises and little corners of paradise!
In recent years, the growth of low-cost flights has encouraged many people to travel further afield, but the widespread use of airplanes has led to an explosion in the carbon footprint, which is very bad for the environment.
Eco-responsible accommodation, Sustainable tourism offers are springing up everywhere, encouraging us to change our bad habits.
Eco-friendly luggage
Pack your luggage carefully: the lighter it is, the less energy it will consume. Use this argument to leave unnecessary items at home. Our tip is to take reusable accessories with you to reduce disposable waste.
For example, plan a isothermal gourd, reusable containers such as beewraps Naéco for food and drink. You can wear your clothes for 2 or 3 days to avoid too many changes. If you're planning to go shopping, be sure to bring some tote-bags or other fabric bags to carry your belongings to the beach.
To get away
We recommend taking the train, which accounts for only 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, compared with the car, which accounts for 80%. It's not only more environmentally-friendly, it's also much more practical, as you don't have to wait for your luggage to board, and there's much less stress involved.
For the more adventurous, our offer for walkers and cyclists allows you to benefit from advantages at our hostels in Audierne, Le Pouldu or Erdeven.
During the trip
Remember to use sunscreen - but not just any sunscreen, but one that respects the environment. Every year, according to figures from UFC Que Choisir, 25,000 tonnes of cream end up in the oceans, some of them with toxic effects on marine flora and fish.
The first thing to look for when choosing a sunscreen is its UV filter. In fact, it's less harmful to the environment if it contains mineral UV filters. Organic sun creams are certified by Ecocert's Cosmebio label, and must contain 95% of ingredients of natural origin.
During your stay, give preference to seasonal produce, especially as summer is full of delicious fruits and vegetables that make it easy to prepare salads. You can also eating fresh and local, France is a country with many different cultures, and there are many local products to discover, so make the most of it.
Another tip to bear in mind is to avoid air conditioning, which, although it cools interiors, is harmful to the environment and raises the outside temperature in cities by 1.5°C. There are alternatives, such as fans or airing out in the evening when the temperature is lower.
Last but not least, take cocktails without disposable plastic straws. Since 2020, France has banned the marketing of disposable straws, because every year it's more than 9 million straws that are thrown into nature, onto beaches or into the oceans.
To replace disposable straws, restaurants and bars are full of great ideas! Metal straws, bamboo straws or even edible dough straws.
A green summer
When you choose to stay at Naéco, you choose accommodation that respects nature. From Clef Verte-labeled hostels through a number of actions, such as rational water and energy consumption, waste management, responsible and local purchasing...
It's with the Naéco#Responsables association that we created this charter, which is used and respected in our establishments, for a eco-responsible holiday in Brittany.
