You’re flying on a fuel-guzzling plane for six hours, you’re sleeping in a hotel that pumps more electricity than a 24-hour dance club, and you’re visiting a city whose traffic rivals that of Los Angeles. While this might not be the most eco-friendly vacation you've planned, there are still ways to make your trip a little greener. By preparing your home, packing items that reduce waste, and buying sustainable products when you’re there, you can still travel green no matter where you travel.
At Home: Before you leave your house consider these minor, but effective tricks: Turn your water heater to its lowest setting to that you use less energy while you’re away. Even if you’re just gone for the weekend, using less makes a difference. Turn off any air conditioner units, or other 'running' appliances like water, icemakers, and fans.
Unplug your electronics and appliances to help conserve energy. Cell phone chargers use energy even when they aren’t charging your cell phone, and appliances that have been switched off, like coffee makers, toasters, and lamps, continue to use energy when they aren't in use. The worst offenders are likely in your home office. Chances are, you don’t need to keep your computer, shredder, scanner, and printer on while you’re on vacation, so get a head start on green travel (even if you’re not planning for eco-friendly accommodations) before your trip, and unplug everything you can. While you’re reducing your environmental impact, you’re also dwindling your energy bill. In fact, keeping rarely used appliances unplugged even when you’re home turns green travel into simply green living.
Packing: Once you’ve mastered the art of eco-arming your home, the next step is packing. Start by choosing earth-friendly luggage to tote your belongings. Bags made from recycled plastic, organic materials, or environmentally-safe leather make great sustainable options. Because you’ll probably need a few last minute things before you leave, go the extra mile and double-check for green items like t-shirts made from organic cotton or bamboo. Organic makeup, lotions, and sunblock take your green travel up a notch. Don't forget your digital camera so you can take thousands of pictures without having to print all of them, and save the materials that would have been used in film. Carry a reusable, non-plastic water bottle to avoid the need for purchasing them everywhere you go. (Be sure to empty it before going through airport security though!)
Word to the wise – use the bathroom at the airport, not the one on the plane. By flushing the toilet in the air, you’re using as much fuel as you’d need to run a car for six miles.
Finally there: Once you're at your destination, simple things can make a difference. Staying local is one of the best ways to keep a green edge. Travel green and contribute to the economy by eating at independently-owned restaurants that use fresh, local ingredients. Larger chain restaurants waste more shipping and packing materials, as well as fuel, preservation chemicals, and energy. Plus, sampling the local fare gives you an unmatched insight on how residents eat. If you’re staying in a big city, use public transportation as much as possible instead of renting a car. Trains, trolleys, metros, and buses carry many more people for less fuel than if each person commuted individually. Day and week passes are usually easy to attain, and highly affordable, so get one on your first day.
Focus on buying souvenirs that help the local economy, but that don’t over-exploit its natural resources. If you plan to shop with green travel on the brain, look for handmade goods like scarves, jewelry, and crafts, but make sure they don't add more strife to the land. Products that include materials from endangered species like shells, feathers, and animal skins can increase trouble areas in some places.
The bottom line is that you can go green no matter what you’re doing. Everyone has a part in keeping our planet green, even on vacation.
Andrea Mooney
© Cheapflights Ltd
May 2009
