Small steps, big impact

Katikati local and waste-free warrior
Kate Meads shares some simple
food waste tips to help us all be
more sustainable

Put simply, food waste is a problem for the environment, but by thinking about some simple changes to how you buy food, store it and then consume it is an easy climate action we can all take. 

Better food storage reduces waste. There are lots of ways we can store our food better and make it last longer. Most of our fresh vegetables like carrots, lettuce and celery will store for a long time in the fridge if they are put in airtight containers. When it comes to things like lettuce leaves, storing them in the bag they come in is the worst way to store them. Take them out of the bag and put them in an airtight container with a paper towel under them - doing this will make them last three times longer. With veggies like broccoli being the flower of a plant, they are best stored like a bunch of flowers - in a glass jar with water in the fridge. 

Using a meal kit delivery service helps Kiwis reduce food waste. Planning what you are going to cook during the week is a really effective way to waste less food. Using a meal kit delivery service can be really beneficial to people who are short on time, not great at planning meals, or who just generally find they waste a lot of food. The idea of having exactly what you need to cook arrive at your doorstep once a week is really helpful. Meal kits are perfectly pre-portioned and the planning is completely removed for you. You can also pause at any time if you are going on holiday, or you can order bigger potions if you are entertaining. 

First in, first out. A lot of people who waste food do so because they lose track of what should be eaten first. My best tip for this begins when you bring home your groceries or receive your meal kit for the week. Start by moving all of the older products in your fridge, pantry and freezer to the front, and place new products to the back. Label things “eat me first” if it has an approaching expiry date, incorporate it into your meal planning, and eat what you have!

Consider food packaging. Being mindful of packaging waste is all part of the journey too. This is where I see brands needing to lead the way in providing packaging that is minimalistic or easily recyclable. Make sure your tins are kerbside recyclable, and wash soft plastics out and drop them off at your local soft plastic collection point. 

When it comes to your recycling, make sure it is clean and dry. One thing to make sure of when you have packaging that you want to recycle is that it must be clean. All containers such as plastic, glass, tin, and aluminum need to be well rinsed. Cardboard and paper need to be clean and not food-contaminated before being put into the recycling bin. Importantly, soft plastics also need to be clean and dry before you drop them to the drop off points. 

Reducing our food waste doesn’t need to be complicated – small changes at home can make a big difference to our impact on the planet. 

Booking.com reveals how the ‘pandemic effect’ could finally tip sustainable travel intent for Kiwis into impactful action

Booking.com reveals how the ‘pandemic effect’ could finally tip sustainable travel intent for Kiwis into impactful action.

New research from Booking.com suggests that the pandemic has been the tipping point for travellers to finally commit to their own sustainable journey, with 68% of Kiwi travellers believing we have to act now to save the planet for future generations.  

Booking.com’s 2021 Sustainable Travel Report reveals that more than three quarters (77%) of Kiwi travellers think sustainable travel is a vital part of achieving this, with two thirds (61%) stating that the pandemic has influenced them to want to travel more sustainably. The timing of the report makes the findings even more poignant, as the travel industry looks to rebuild amidst the ongoing pandemic, says Todd Lacey, Area Manager of Booking.com New Zealand. 

“Our research uncovers how the travel hiatus has opened New Zealanders’ eyes to the impact, both positive and negative, that their trips can have on local ecosystems and communities around the world,” says Lacey. “At Booking.com we believe travel is a force for good, but it has to be done in the right way to ensure we are protecting the planet for future generations.”

Lowering our footprint
Kiwi travellers shared a variety of steps they plan to take to leave less of a footprint on the world as they explore it including’ 80% wanting to reduce general waste, 79% wanting to reduce their energy consumption and 75% wanting to use more environmentally friendly modes of transport such as walking, cycling or public transport over taxis or rental cars. 

Fortunately, it’s not just good intentions. Many of these sustainable pledges are coming to fruition, with travellers revealing that while on holiday in the past 12 months, 40% made a conscious decision to turn off their air conditioning/heater in their accommodation when they weren’t there, 53% took their own reusable water bottle, rather than buying bottled water, and 38% did activities to support the local community. 

Yet Kiwi travellers feel their own efforts may be hindered when on holiday with over half (58%) admitting they get annoyed if their accommodation stops them from being sustainable. Further, despite 81% of travellers pledging to seek out accommodation that has reputable third-party sustainability accreditation, barriers still remain with 49% of travellers believing there simply still aren’t enough sustainable travel options available in 2021. 
But it may be more a lack of communication than a lack of action: 3 out of 4** Booking.com accommodation partners say they have implemented sustainable steps at their property, but only one-third (31%**) actively communicate their efforts to potential guests, with this mostly happening at the time of check-in (59%**). With half of Kiwi travellers still believing ample sustainable travel options are not available, this suggests that significant change is needed to make sustainability information accessible at earlier stages of the booking process.

Closing the gap, step by step

Booking.com believes they have an important responsibility to make sustainable choices easier, both for accommodation providers and travellers. That’s why the company is currently rolling out a program for properties that will support them in taking the next steps to become more sustainable. This includes sharing guidance, insights and best practices with properties via various educational opportunities, including handbooks and dedicated content, all available via the Booking.com Partner Hub.

In connection, Booking.com is currently displaying over 30 certifications officially approved by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Green Tourism and the EU Ecolabel, as well as multiple hotel chain sustainability programs. 

Booking.com is also encouraging its accommodation partners to update their sustainability information, which includes 32 practices across five key categories: waste, energy and greenhouse gases, water, supporting local communities and protecting nature. 

“As a leader in travel, at Booking.com we believe we have an important responsibility to make sustainable choices easier, both for accommodation providers and travellers. While there is much, much more to be done, we are optimistic about the passion and commitment we are seeing from all sides,” says Lacey. 

To download Booking.com’s full 2021 Sustainable Travel Report, click here.