This year, the entire Naéco Hostels team has decided to create an online advent calendar, to share with you daily tips that are part of a more eco-responsible approach. For this first part, we share with you things to do for a greener stay.
By nature, travel is not synonymous with ecology. However, there are still simple things we can do to help protect the planet! One of the fundamental dimensions of a "green" trip is respect for the environment. Many simple and effective actions can contribute to this. Find out our key tips for being the best green traveller!
Day 1: Travel light
When travelling, plan to travel light. We often tend to pack a lot of "just in case" items in our bag or suitcase, which take up more space than anything else. And this extra weight affects fuel consumption. Cargo, roof boxes, racks or bike racks reduce the aerodynamics of your vehicle. The result is an additional 10 to 20% fuel consumption!
In fact, 100kg of cargo = +5% fuel consumption.
At Naéco Hostels, to help you travel lighter, we provide you with everything you need to live like at home! You will find as a service our fully equipped kitchen as well as the provision of a barbecue, the rental of bicycles on the spot or the linen and towels in the room that you do not need to load in your luggage!
Also for sportsmen, whether you are a cyclist, surfer or paddleboarder, you have the possibility of renting your equipment from our partners all around our establishments.
Day 2: Favour soft modes of transport
For our visitors coming from far away, the best alternative to come is the train. Indeed, it is still the greenest alternative.
For example, a journey between Paris and Audierne is 0.22 tonnes of CO2 (tCO2) by plane, 0.12 tCO2 by car but only 0.01tCO2 by train.
There are also buses, bicycles and for those who are very sporty you can even visit us on foot!
Travelling by soft transport is also about "taking your time", a key concept in the practice of slow tourism. In fact, you can use this tool to calculate your footprint according to the mode of transport you use and the journey you are going to make.
Favouring soft modes of travel also has many advantages: economic with a reduction in your petrol budget, social thanks to an improvement in your quality of life through a reduction in stress and fatigue and environmental thanks to a reduction in noise and odour pollution.
If you come to one of our establishments on foot, you will benefit from a special rate valid all year round.
Day 3: Use a water bottle
It is always more sensible to have a stainless steel water bottle to quench your thirst without damaging your health or the environment. The plastic of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles is suspected of containing endocrine disruptors that migrate into the liquid.
Also, they have several negative impacts on the environment: manufacture based on oil and resin, synonymous with waste of resources, pollution of seas and oceans...
The water bottle therefore has economic and ecological aspects but it is also very trendy! It is sold in several shapes, colours and sizes on the market. A wide choice is therefore offered to you according to your needs, your budget, but also your taste! Reusable plastic and Bisphenol-A free, stainless steel, glass, with cover, isothermal, filtering, to each his bottle and to each his design for a unique water bottle!
The water bottle also remains a solid and durable object because you can use it everywhere, at home, at work, during your sport, its cleaning is easy and it does not retain bad smells! The water bottle is therefore a real asset that you should definitely include in your luggage for a stay in the countryside!
Day 4: Choose a good sun cream
Chemical compounds present in sun creams can be released into the oceans and attack fauna, marine flora and especially coral.
When you swim with sunscreen on your skin, chemical compounds such as oxybenzone can leach into the water and be absorbed by corals.
Even if you don't bathe after applying sunscreen, it may still leak out while you shower. Aerosols often spray large amounts of sunscreen into the sand and eventually wash into the oceans. Every year, around 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen end up in the sea. It is therefore important to choose your sunscreen carefully before going out in the sun.
It is also important to know that without our protection, prolonged exposure causes sunburn but above all, in the long term, skin cancer and accelerated skin ageing and at Naéco we like to have beautiful skin!
Day 5: For smokers, remember to carry a pocket ashtray
Throwing a cigarette butt on the ground, in a gutter or in the water (sea or river) has unfortunate consequences on the environment.
A cigarette butt takes between 4 and 12 years to disappear. It releases heavy metals and pollutants such as nicotine, cadmium and lead.
These toxic substances are harmful to terrestrial and marine fauna and flora.
Always have something to keep your cigarette butts with you before you throw them away, because in addition to being environmentally friendly, this little object is very functional!
Indeed, when you are a smoker, the pocket ashtray allows you to keep your cigarette butts in a practical way, more than if you left them in a packet. There is no risk of them flying away, there is no smell, the box is easy to open as you only have to press the lid and it can be easily stored in a bag.
Day 6: Have a reusable bag
Replacing plastic bags with cloth bags will also prevent them from flying into the sea, suffocating marine animals in the process, or polluting the land.
For several years now, tote bags have been our new favourites! They are mainly used for your various purchases, or to carry cutlery or meals if you go on a trip.
It is also very practical and can be easily stored in the bottom of your handbag or in the boot of your car. The advantage of having it handy is that you can take it out at any time to carry your shopping and thus refuse the disposable bags offered at the checkout.
As well as being a perfect alternative to plastic bags, it is strong, machine washable and long lasting, so you can reuse it endlessly!
Also, there are tote bags in all shapes, colours and sizes, from 10 litres ideal for shopping to 26 litres ideal for big shopping trips. The tote bag is therefore the essential fashion accessory available for all tastes!
Day 7: Go for solid cosmetics (soap, shampoo, deodorant...)
Ideal for the environment, solid cosmetics are more eco-friendly, both in terms of their composition and their lesser packaging
In comparison, liquid products, such as shower gels, tend to run out very quickly. The advantage of a solid product is that it lasts longer: you only use what you need. For example, one solid shampoo is about 3 x 250ml bottles of liquid shampoo! In addition to being 100% natural, solid products are also more respectful of your skin!
They are perfect for travellers, they are easier to carry around: in a small box, in a washcloth... And we're also done with soap dripping all over our toilet bag! They take up much less space in our luggage, and with this gesture we are participating in our tip from day 1: lighten our luggage!
Day 8: Rent bikes on site
Whether you're into sports or just for the pleasure of your eyes, there's nothing better than discovering a region on two wheels!
At Naéco Hostels, there are a multitude of sporting or cultural activities accessible from our establishments by bike: restaurants, beaches, coastal paths, historical sites...
By bike, you can take the time to admire the landscapes around you, you can take a good breath of fresh air, and why not explore small hidden corners in the heart of Brittany!
Renting bikes also allows you to take care of your environment, to pollute less and to practice the green attitude during your stay!
Day 9: Choose local food over big chains
It is well known and recognised today that large fast food chains have a considerable impact on our environment.
Eating locally is a concept that has become increasingly popular in recent years. But what exactly does it mean to be a "locavore"? It's someone who only buys seasonal products, and who buys his daily consumption products from small local producers.
At Naéco we work a lot with our local craftsmen because we like to make them work, to go and meet them, we adopt the proximity card thoroughly!
In our park, our little bees even produce our own honey and it is available for our guests every morning on our breakfast buffet!
By choosing to eat locally during your stay, you will be able to keep the small shops in the area alive, have a taste of the local heritage, discover new flavours and appreciate the know-how of our region. It is also an opportunity to learn a new way of cooking or seasoning food, and why not even go home with new ideas for dishes to prepare on a daily basis.
Day 10: Choosing the right activities
When you arrive in Southern Brittany, there are dozens of different activities to choose from, and not all of them have the same impact on the ecosystems.
Motorised sports such as jet-skiing, quad biking or motor boats are very polluting!
So to choose eco-responsible activities, avoid those that are based on the intensive use of a motor.
When you go out in nature, respect it! Don't cut plants, don't take rocks or corals, be attentive to animals and ecosystems.
Prefer activities that require little transport (and favour public transport): if you have to drive 2 hours to find the perfect spot for your surfing session, it won't be very eco-friendly anyway.
And of course, if you can, choose activities that support local businesses! At Naéco, we are partners of the ESB, which are located close to our establishments, the perfect place to go surfing without polluting!
Day 11: Disconnect!
What if your holidays were also an opportunity to disconnect?
When you can get out in the sun, go for a walk, visit, do some sport, go to the beach or into nature... Why stay in front of a television or a computer that consumes energy? Take advantage of this green holiday to get some fresh air, to enjoy, to discover...
Disconnection is our motto at Naéco thanks to our concepts of nights in lodges or cabins. The opportunity for our customers to live an unusual stay, is above all to live an experience that is out of the ordinary, which allows them to be transported into another world, "out of time" just for a weekend or for longer periods.
And a reminder, when leaving home, remember to disconnect all your equipment, avoid leaving your devices in standby mode in an empty house.
Day 12: Choose accommodation that is already eco-friendly
At Naéco Hostels, we do our best to promote sustainable tourism.
We also try to implement actions on a daily basis to reduce the impact of your stay on the planet.
To do this, we have created a charter for our establishments based on 4 axes: water, waste, energy and the societal aspect. This allows us to have a guideline to orientate our actions in the best possible way, and to reach the different objectives that we have set ourselves.
We also have our Naeco#Responsible association whose mission is to create, support and accompany ecological and socially responsible projects in the localities where the company is established.
Our actions through this association are focused on 3 axes: actions to preserve nature and the oceans, actions to discover outdoor activities for people with disabilities and actions to raise awareness about ecology and nature among children.
After a first part with our advice to spend a greener holiday, we share with you today and until Christmas, our tips and recipes that we can use and implement on a daily basis to go green.
Cleaning your home with natural products is healthy, easy and inexpensive thanks to a few essentials and good home recipes. Today we offer you a non-exhaustive list of what we consider to be the essentials to have in your cupboards.
- Microfiber sponges
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Soda crystals
- Black soap
- Marseille soap (liquid and/or solid)
- And as an option, you can add to your preparations according to
The recipes:
- Essential oils for their properties and odours
- Sodium percarbonate Lemon juice
- Linseed oil
- With all these ingredients, you have the basis for making different types of household products yourself, from all-surface cleaners to laundry detergents.
Day 13. Recipe: Multi-purpose cleaner
This recipe is perfect for cleaning most of your surfaces: kitchen worktops, tables, even marks on the floor! Best of all, it takes only 5 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients:
- Water
- 2 tablespoons of black soap
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1L bottle
Steps :
- Fill the bottle 3/4 full of lukewarm water
- Add the bicarbonate and mix
- At this stage, you can optionally add essential oil
- Pour in the soap
- Close the bottle and shake
- Complete with water and mix one last time
- In just a few steps, you have a natural-based cleaner that allows you to scrub away the small stains of everyday life.
Day 14: Removing stubborn stains
You may have burnt marks or dirt on your cooker or sink.
Before using a chemical product, try our more ecological tip:
Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with two tablespoons of fine salt.
Stir in water to make a soft paste.
Option: add a few drops of essential citrus oils to improve its scaling power and smell.
Then, simply sponge some on and gently scrub all the surfaces in the bathroom or kitchen, and you're done!
Day 15: Recipe: Dishwashing Liquid
This homemade recipe is perfect for cleaning and degreasing your dishes, while reducing your waste.
For 500mL of product you need :
- 200g of liquid Marseille soap
- 200g of liquid black soap
- a little water or vinegar, depending on your use
Steps: Mix the 2 soaps with a little water or vinegar in a dispenser. And that's it!
Our little tip: you can add a few aromatic herbs to your preparation, such as thyme or rosemary, which have antiseptic virtues, while cleaning and disinfecting.
Day 16: Recipe: Toilet cleaner
Sanitary cleaning products are very polluting, and sometimes even very expensive. Today we offer you this recipe to clean, disinfect and perfume your toilets without harming nature.
For 1L of product, you need :
- 500mL of white vinegar
- 500mL of water
- 4CS of cornstarch
- Optionally, a few drops of essential oils
For your preparation:
- Pour 440mL of water and 500mL of vinegar into the pan.
- Bring to the boil. In a bowl, dilute the cornstarch in 60 ml of water.
- When the water/vinegar mixture is boiling, pour in the contents of the bowl, whisking to combine.
- Stir for a few seconds over the heat and then allow to cool.
- In the second bowl, mix 40 ml of vinegar and the essential oil.
- Pour this mixture into the cooled pan. Stir one last time.
Pour into the recovery bottle and label.
This product is used as a regular maintenance product to keep the bathroom clean and fresh.
Day 17: Household tip: Save water
Today we give you some tips (that we tend to forget) to save water at home and do good for the planet:
Our recipe:
Don't leave the water running when using the taps.
When you brush your teeth, wash your hands, shave or wash the dishes, don't leave the tap running.
When shaving or washing dishes, don't leave the tap running. Turn it off and on again.
This will prevent you from using up to 12 litres per minute for nothing!
Take a shower instead of a bath. Many people take this for granted, and in fact, houses hardly have bathtubs any more. Consider applying the technique to children as well.
Press the flush button for less time. Flushes release a certain amount of water depending on the amount of opening required when the button is pressed. If you control the pressure, you can release less water with your traditional flush. Remember that each flush uses 5 litres of drinking water to flush your needs...!
Reuse cooking water. Once cooled, you can use it to water your plants, which will benefit from the elements in the water that come from the heated food.
Day 18: Recipe for your glass cleaner
It's easy to make your own window cleaner to spray on your windows on busy cleaning days!
For 1L of product, you need :
- 340 ml of white vinegar (about 1/3 of the final bottle).
- 660 ml of water (about 2/3 of the final bottle).
- Optional: 12 to 20 drops of essential oils, such as lemon, pine or tea tree.
For this recipe, nothing could be easier:
- Pour the vinegar into a bottle.
- Add the essential oils and mix.
- Complete with water.
- Mix it all together.
- Then, you can wash and wipe your tiles with microfiber sponges, this will avoid any traces on your windows!
Day 19: Liquid detergent
Commercial detergents are sometimes very polluting for the water they are discharged into.
Today we propose a more natural and ecological recipe for washing your clothes.
For 2L of detergent:
- 1 large handful of Marseille soap
- 1 tablespoon of soda crystals or bicarbonate of soda
- 2L of water, 1L to be heated
Steps :
- Grate the soap into shavings if it is in blocks.
- Pour 1 litre of boiling water into the bucket with the shredded Marseille soap.
- Mix until dissolved.
- Add the soda crystals (if the water is still hot, otherwise melt the crystals in a little hot water separately).
- Mix or blend if necessary.
- Pour into the can.
- Add 1 litre of cold water. Do not fill to capacity.
- Close and shake.
You can also add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to delicately perfume your laundry.
Day 20: Soft and healthy fabric softener
Ultra-soft laundry that scents the whole house, you're dreaming of it! Here is the recipe for a gentle fabric softener that is kind to your sensitive skin:
You will need :
- White vinegar + essential oils of your choice (lavender, eucalyptus...)
- A glass bottle like a lemonade bottle
- A funnel
To make it:
Fill a quarter of the bottle with vinegar and fill the rest with water.
Add a dozen drops of essential oils and shake well before each use.
At each machine cycle, fill the compartment provided for the fabric softener with this mixture. This will dissolve the limescale in the water, soften the clothes and give them a light citrus scent. The smell of vinegar evaporates during drying.
Day 21: Floor cleaner recipe
We all love it when the floors in our house shine! Especially during the holiday season when everything has to be spotless!
For our 1L recipe:
Pour 250ml of liquid black soap into a large container with 40gr of baking soda and 700ml of water.
Mix well.
Then gradually pour in 25 cl of white vinegar while still mixing.
If necessary, add a few drops of lemon essential oil.
Your floor cleaner is ready!
Day 22: Replace the dishwasher tablets
Chemical cleaners that are put in the dishwasher are not very environmentally friendly.
Fortunately, you can make a very effective homemade dishwasher powder.
To make this natural, eco-friendly, zero waste and economical alternative, all you need to do is make the right mixtures!
For the recipe:
Finely grate 3 teaspoons of Marseille soap.
Then add 3 tablespoons of percarbonate of soda, 3 of bicarbonate of soda, 3 more of soda crystals and 1 of salt.
Keep everything in an airtight jar.
For washing, put a good spoonful in the dedicated compartment and add half a teaspoon of citric acid.
Day 23: Remember to wrap your gifts in an environmentally friendly way!
It is good for the environment to avoid unnecessary packaging. At Christmas, gift wrap is used in large volumes and not always sorted out properly after unwrapping.
Moreover, it is an element that does not recycle very well: if kraft paper can be recycled, this is not the case for metallic, glittery or plasticised gift wrapping, which must be disposed of with household waste. Bad luck, they are the most frequently used!
Fortunately, there are other solutions. They often require more time and creativity but they are much more economical. Yes, this year at Christmas, we've decided to think about recycling!
We give you some ideas to discover without further delay to wrap a gift without gift paper and thus opt for a Zero Waste Christmas:
Recover cardboard boxes.
Use glass jars.
Wrap with fabric scraps.
Tip: That old newspaper or brown paper bag can add a lot of flair to your gift wrapping and impress your guests!
Day 24: Avoid food waste by sharing leftovers!
Wrap with all kinds of paper: newsprint, kraft paper, road maps, maps of the world or even magazine paper.
To close our Naeco Advent calendar we are thinking about sharing and happiness and on this Christmas Day we are all going to get in the kitchen and cook a lot!
We often tend to plan too much for fear that our guests will run out of something and we end up with weeks of tupperware that ends up in the bin!
So for this last green tip we invite you today to share your leftovers to avoid food waste!
Plan small surprise containers to give to your guests when they leave! At the end of the festivities, you can also deliver the surplus food in airtight boxes to associations or sick people. As for bread, avoid pre-slicing all your baguettes. If everyone uses their knife to help themselves, this will avoid throwing away the surplus. Then you can freeze the extra bread to keep it.
The whole Naéco team wishes you a very nice Christmas Eve!