Dublin is known as the Emerald Isle or the land of 40 shades of green and not just for the colour of the fields. Dublin may be a built-up city but we’re not an exception to keeping the country green. Sustainability has always been high on the agenda of staff and students at DCU. We encourage guests of DCU Rooms to join us in keeping our campus as sustainable as possible, banning single-use plastic and making good decisions when visiting and enjoying the city. We have our ways of keeping DCU as eco-friendly as possible but we need the help of our guests to spread the message and positive decisions across the city too. Here are our best eco-friendly tips for visiting Dublin.
Take Public Transport
Dublin is a compact city with many of the main attractions and popular spots within walking distance of each other in the heart of the city. Getting to the city from our campus on the edge of Dublin is manageable on foot in about an hour but if you don’t want to walk, there are plenty of public transport options. We have a reliable and relatively inexpensive bus service in Dublin, ideal to get you in and around the city as fast as possible. If you’re bringing a bike, there are dozens of protected bike lanes to get you there safely. Getting around the city centre is quick and easy on foot or the electricity-powered Luas is a great alternative. Many taxis in the city are electric powered and you can request this option on apps like Free Now when you’re prebooking. There is no need to rent a car for your time in Dublin City Centre.
Refill your water Bottles
Unlike some of our European neighbours, Ireland has some of the freshest, cleanest tap water in Europe. While you may need to rely on bottled water to drink or brush your teeth in other places, fresh tap water is plentiful in Ireland. You can take an empty refillable water bottle with you and use taps or ask in restaurants to refill your bottle saving you money and saving plastic waste. Don’t forget if you do buy a plastic bottle, recycle or Re-Turn it to a dedicated machine to get your deposit back.
Don’t Generate Unnecessary Waste
There are so many small ways to reduce your carbon footprint while travelling and reducing the waste you produce is a very easy one. If you’re purchasing food to take away, make good decisions about the packaging, or if it’s needed at all. Reuse plastic bottles as often as possible instead of throwing them out. Take your own reusable cutlery so you’re not relying on plastic or wooden disposables. Bring a reusable coffee cup and request to use it for your morning or afternoon beverage. Bring a backpack or canvas bag for your shopping, refusing bags and printed receipts where possible. Small changes make a big difference.
Food & Drink in Dublin
Dublin is a true foodie city with options for everyone from fine dining to fast food. Opting to eat in rather than take away will save unnecessary food packaging waste. Ordering too much food contributes to food waste so try to match your order to your hunger. Choosing vegetarian and vegan food is generally a little more eco-friendly than meaty alternatives. Seeking local and independent businesses to spend your money usually means ingredients are locally sourced and fairly traded, meaning their carbon footprint is lower. Seasonal food also helps, ensuring fewer artificial means are used in food production. Luckily Dublin has some fantastic independent eateries to choose from.
Choose The Right Accommodation
While you’re searching for the perfect accommodation in Dublin, what do you consider? Price and location are two of the biggest factors and can be limiting in the city centre. Next on your list should be the property’s environmental rating, something many hotels, apartments, guesthouses and B&Bs take very seriously. Take a look at a prospective accommodations’ environmental charter, or note when they do not provide one, and ensure that their policies align with your principles. DCU Rooms take sustainability very seriously with committees dedicated to improving our ratings and monitoring our progress.
If you’d like any other sustainability trips for travelling to Dublin or want to book your stay in our alternative accommodation in Dublin, check our website. We have some great tips for making the most of your stay and offer our lowest available rates, guaranteed. Our team are always happy to recommend eco-friendly things to do in Dublin too.
