A land to last forever

Perhaps you’ve never heard of the concept of “circular economy”, but you’re sure to agree with its principles. Knowing the impact of climate change, who wouldn’t be concerned about energy waste, the generation of plastic waste and the damage being done to ecosystems? The regions of Barcelona are very environmentally conscious; several political and citizen-driven initiatives exist aimed at fostering a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. We also promote sustainable tourism, so here are five suggestions for conserving the environment we all share.

1. Travelling without polluting

Whenever possible, forget about cars, buses, planes and cruise ships; instead, get around by train, metro and tram, since these are the three most environmentally-friendly means of public transport. When you’ve reached your destination, walk everywhere: leg power is the greenest form of energy that exists. What’s more, it’s the way to explore picturesque, hidden corners.

2. Stay in eco-certified accommodation

In the regions of Barcelona, there are many accommodation establishments that have obtained eco-certification, such as the Biosphere seal and the ISO 14000 quality assurance standard, thanks to their good environmental practices. If you want to stay in a natural protected area, look out for establishments with the EUROPARC European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST) seal.

3. Don’t waste natural resources and avoid using plastic

Already settled in? Great! We hope you have a very enjoyable stay. But please make rational use of water, only ask for your sheets and towels to be changed when necessary, turn off the lights when you leave the room and don’t leave the window open if the air conditioning or heating are on. And if you go shopping, opt for farmers’ markets instead of supermarkets, take a wicker basket or a cloth shopping bag, and avoid white foam trays, aseptic carton packaging and plastic bags. The planet will thank you and we’ll all benefit.

4. Appreciate old, rustic and recycled furniture

Are you a fan of vintage furniture? Well, you’re in luck because in the regions of Barcelona there are plenty of accommodation establishments decorated with great taste and creativity, with family heirlooms or items found in specialised shops. It’s an aesthetic option with an ethical impact, since rustic and restored furniture is more environmentally friendly. And if you fancy buying some, make sure you visit the Mercantic, an antiques market housed in an old ceramics factory in Sant Cugat del Vallès. It’s open every day except Monday and is full of charming furniture and curiosities. A very sustainable and must-visit attraction!

5. Shop in local stores and second-hand markets

If you don’t want to contribute to global warming through goods transportation, try and buy locally-manufactured clothes and household items. In the shopping districts of Mataró, Igualada, Granollers, Sitges, Vilafranca del Penedès, Vic, Terrassa and Vilanova i la Geltrú, you can find small family-owned stores with products unavailable elsewhere. In Igualada, you can purchase top-quality leather and knitwear and, depending on the time of year, you can visit Rec 0, a pop-up shopping experience organised twice a year where you can find leading brands in a unique industrial setting. What’s more, very interesting second-hand markets are regularly held throughout the regions of Barcelona, including in Granollers, Sabadell, Arenys de Mar, Tona and Canet.


More information:

Your trip to the regions of Barcelona
Mercantic
REC 0 (pop-up shopping centre in Igualada)