Better Ways to Travel Green in Broome
Green travel is a growing sector of tourism, one that we at Broome Whale Watching are super passionate about. Making huge changes to the way we offer Broome cruises is a necessity in helping travellers and ourselves become eco-friendly. To us, sustainable travel is the way of the future.
So, you have made it this far, to Broome, the gateway to the Kimberley, the world’s most pristine wilderness, you have made it to our hometown.
Welcome!
We are thrilled you are here and super thrilled you are still reading this blog!
I take it, you are the genuinely curious traveller, who desires the MARVELLOUS in NATURE but leaves behind a very little environmental footprint. Or tries to anyway.
You are our kind of traveller.
We are so pleased to meet you.
So many green travelling sites have some terrific suggestions on how to be green in places you visit.
But what does it mean to be GREEN in BROOME? A different slant…. for you to consider.
Living in a place like Broome is surreal most times. Endless clean beaches, rugged landscapes, unique natural phenomenon, beautiful sunsets over the ocean, dazzling stars in the night sky and a playground of remarkable marine life. And this is our home, WOW!
But on bin collection days a little of that surrealness is swept away. The amount of rubbish disposed of in Broome is frightening. What is more alarming is the fact that while other places in Australia can recycle all 7 CODES OF PLASTIC products, in Broome, we are LIMITED to codes 1 and 2. Shocking, right?
Well to add a little more to the ‘willie willie’ that’s wheeling around in your mind right now, there are occasions when recycling is a challenge for Broome. We are a long way from the big cities after all.
It’s not all doom and gloom in Broome. It just means we have to be a little smarter about how we do things. So, what can you do while you are here?
TIPS THAT OTHER GREEN TRAVELLERS DON’T TALK ABOUT
CHECK YOUR CODES
Going back to the whole code 1 & 2 business, don’t stop eating because everything comes in plastic.
Think eco smart and swap brands of food for ones that come in plastics coded 1 or 2. You see, my boys love their yoghurt so I found a brand that Broome can recycle here (most of the times). And do try to avoid produce in plastic packaging. Buy loose onions, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, apples, oranges, kiwi and Lebanese cucumbers that aren’t wrapped in unnecessary plastic!
RECYCLE SOFT PLASTIC AT COLES AND WOOLWORTHS BROOME
It took a while, as Broome is located in a remote region, but both Coles and Woolworth stores have soft plastic bins for the times plastic can’t be avoided. Woolies also has a stand for free shopping bags donated by other travellers. You are welcome to use them instead of buying your own each time. Once you are ready to hit the road, drop your bags off for some other ecofriendly traveller to use.
HEAD DOWN TO THE COURTHOUSE MARKETS FOR FRESH PRODUCE
There is always something fresh and delicious ready to be bought. No packaging. No transportation. Organically grown. Just remember to take the shopping bag you have borrowed from Woolworths.
REFILL YOUR BROOME WHALE WATCHING WATER BOTTLE YOU HAVE JUST PURCHASED ON YOUR CRUISE
No need to elaborate too much here, just fill and chill. Repeat. Fill and chill. Repeat. Broome water tastes great when it is cold.
Oh, and when you do purchase one of our stainless-steel Broome Whale Watching bottles, you have donated to a fantastic organisation – the Roebuck Bay working group.
You are getting GREENER by the minute.
SUPPORTING THE SUSTAINABLY CONSCIOUS TOUR OPERATORS
Each time you cruise with us at Broome Whale Watching, you have the option to offset your carbon for just a dollar. This contribution goes towards the Planting A Tree Program at Carbon Neutral. If you are unable to do so, we at Broome Whale Watching do it for you anyway.
Aristotle once said, ‘In all things of nature there is the marvellous’. It is this marvellous we need to protect for generations to come. We love Broome and we want to share it with others for many more years.
Thank you for reading this blog to the end. Your Broome journey is just beginning!
Travel eco smart and let us share with you what is so dear to our heart.
Valerie Birch (A snubbies best friend)
Owner of Broome Whale Watching