Going Green While Going on Vacation: Eco-friendly Travel Tips

Just because you're going on a travel trip doesn't mean that you have to give up your green lifestyle. Reducing, reusing and recycling is an important part of our lives, regardless of where we are, and there's no need to compromise because of business trips, holiday travel or family vacations. In fact, you may discover that choosing to go green on the family trip is surprisingly easy if you plan ahead. In addition to being easier on the environment, you may find that it's easier on your wallet as well!

Going Green Before You Leave

Before you leave your home, there are a few eco-friendly things that you can do, which will help reduce your carbon footprint as well as cutting your bills for when you return home. Here are a few great suggestions for things that you might have overlooked, before you leave your house:

Hold the mail. Before you go away on vacation, be sure to tell the postmaster to hold your mail and be sure to stop your newspaper service. Not only will this reduce waste, it will also help to protect your home from burglars. Letting your mail pile up shows people no one is at home and makes your house an easy target.

Don't travel-size it. Those little shampoos and deodorants may seem like a bargain, but they really aren't. Instead, just buy a couple of little reusable bottles and fill it up with the shampoo from home. In addition to being better for your pocketbook, you're less likely to just abandon a half-used bottle of shampoo in the hotel shower. Less waste is always a good thing.

Unplug the unimportant things. Unless you think there's some chance that your Boston fern will want a piece of toast in the mornings, there's probably no reason to leave your toaster plugged in while you're away. Did you know that, even when appliances are turned off, they still leak energy when they're plugged in? The television, the DVD player, the stereo, the toaster, the coffee pot - all of these are examples of appliances that can be unplugged before you leave home. It will save you money on your electric bill too and everyone enjoys that.

Turn the water heater down. You won't be running home to take showers, so be sure to set your water heater on the lowest setting, prior to leaving.

Adjust the heater and air conditioning. Unless you have pets or plants to worry about, feel free to turn your heater down and your air conditioner up. It's a waste of energy to keep the house nice and frosty when you won't be there to enjoy it. What you will enjoy, however, will be the savings on your next power bill.

Shuttle it. Depending on how you're traveling, you can usually opt for the bus or take a regular taxi cab to get to the train or bus depot, or to take you to the airport. Not only will using public transportation help cut down on your carbon footprint, but it will also save you those huge parking fees. Best bet? Walk, if you live close enough.

Eco-Friendly Travel Tips

Bus it. While flying may be the fastest way to get from point A to point B, airplanes emit more carbon dioxide, per person, than any other form of travel. Taking a train or bus is a much cleaner alternative and can be equally as exciting (and more comfortable). You'll also find that bussing it, to and from your destination, will most likely save you a bundle.

Fly direct. If you don't have a choice in the matter and you need to get somewhere quickly, then be sure to book yourself on a direct flight. While flying is still damaging to the environment, the greatest number of carbon emissions are emitted into the environment upon take off and landing.

Don't roam. If you're flying or traveling in mountains or areas where you won't have good reception, turn off your electronic equipment like your cell phones. You can turn them back on when the reception will be good again, and you will save a lot of energy.

Check them out before checking in. If you really want to go green on your next vacation, check to ensure that you're staying at one of the hotels recommended by the Green Hotel Association. These are hotels that are doing their best to help the environment, including using flow-restrictive shower heads, low flow toilets, energy efficient lighting and introducing linen programs that reduce waste. Don't be afraid to ask if the hotel recycles or to look to see what they do for their community. It's your right.

Going Green on Vacation

You don't have to limit yourself by simply going green as you travel. Just because you're on holiday doesn't mean you shouldn't practice the same eco-friendly lifestyle that you live at home. Keep it in your daily routine and, not only will it help the environment, but it will also help keep you contentious about what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment. Here are some simple things that you can do, regardless of where you go:

Open and close curtains to adjust temperatures and let in light. Letting sunlight into your room will not only brighten it up, but it will also help to warm the room as well. Instead of reaching for the air conditioning, you can also try opening a window for a bit.

Lights out. Remember to turn off your lights when you leave a room and be sure to turn of the television if you're not watching it. You might not have to pay the electric bill for the hotel, but there's no excuse for wasting energy either.

Watch the flow. Another area where a lot of travelers get lazy is when it comes to water usage. Keeping your showers short and turning off the water when you brush your teeth are good practices to stick to, whether you're at home or on vacation.

Do not disturb. Don't be afraid to leave this little sign on the door, if you're staying more than a single night in a hotel. Maid service is nice, but you can do a lot to help the environment by reusing your bedding and towels, rather than demanding fresh ones every single day. Don't want to risk mixing up your towels? Bring some color-coded safety pins to tell your towels apart.

Go native. Walking or renting bicycles are not only eco-friendly methods in which you can sight-see, but they are also healthier alternatives. If you have a ways to go or don't feel up to hiking, be sure to use public transportation when you can.

Turn Your Next Vacation Into an Eco-Adventure

Kermit the Frog once said "It's not easy being green," but nothing could be further from the truth. When you make a contentious decision to be more careful about the environment and the imprint you leave upon it, you'll learn that you can develop habits and routines that will soon become second nature. In addition to protecting the Earth, going green can often save you money while saving the planet. This positive outlook can be transferred to everything you do, whether at home, work or even on vacations. Before you know it, you'll be forgoing boring old trips and, instead, enjoying amazing green adventures. Why not start planning yours today?