How to Save the Environment with Your Vacation

You’re probably starting to think about your summer vacation. I know I am. And it brings up some critical questions about the environmental impacts of the ways we relax. For example, air travel is one of biggest sources of carbon dioxide emissions out there. An environmentally-conscious vacation is also usually a cheap vacation (which means more vacation)! There are a variety of things you can to do save the planet while you relax.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Travel mug
• Reusable water bottle and food container

Air Travel

1. Ask yourself if there are vacation spots close to your home which will be just as enjoyable as those that require air travel.
2. Consider alternate modes, like driving with others, or taking the train or bus if you must travel a long distance. Pollution emissions are fairly intuitive when it comes to travel–that is, the smaller the vehicle the smaller the impact. For example, if you're traveling from San Francisco to Los Angeles, the most environmental way to travel is in a car with others. Fill up the seats in the car (driving by yourself is about the same as flying). If that doesn’t work, take the train. Fly only as a last resort.
3. Travel coach (if you must fly). Business and First class take up more space in the plane and therefore have a greater environmental impact.
4. Get electronic tickets to save paper. This also saves money in case you lose your tickets.

Hotel

5. Look for hotels that have stated environmental policies. These implement water-saving measures, execute energy-saving techniques and reduce solid waste. For example, hotels offer towel and sheet-changing options, soap and shampoo dispensers, guestroom recycling baskets and reduced food-related waste.
6. Avoid maid and room service.
7. Ask staff not to change your towels and sheets every day.
8. Turn off the AC/heat, lights and TV when you leave the room.
9. Leave the little bottles of shampoo unopened.

Getting Around

10. Use the airport shuttle to and from your hotel.
11. Select a hotel that is close to your main destination of interest (the beach, for example).
12. Walk where you want to go. You’ll soak up more of the place.
13. Ride public transportation when you want to go somewhere further than walking distance.

Food and Restaurants

14. Carry a bottle for water with you and refill it as needed.
15. Avoid take-away (and fast) food--eat in restaurants on washable dishes.
16. Carry plastic bags and reusable containers for uneaten food. Wash them out after you’ve eaten the food and reuse them later.
17. Carry a commuter (travel) mug for take-away drinks. Avoid styrofoam.

Before You Leave Home

18. Switch off your water heater.
19. Switch off your AC/heat. If you must leave it on to protect your plants, adjust the settings appropriately.
20. Unplug appliances, such as TVs and cable converter boxes. They will draw power even when they’re switched off.
21. Stop your newspaper delivery.

Tips & Warnings

• Check for airlines with good environmental agendas. For example, British Airways has a good environmental record. Southwest Airlines recycles cabin waste and was the first to offer electronic ticketing systemwide.
• Keep track of which towel belongs to which family member. Tell them apart by affixing a safety pin to each towel with a different colored bead.
• Use the same cups for your entire stay by writing each persons name on each cup with permanent marker.
• Take the unused portion of the soap home with you in its wrapper and finish using it there.
• Take walking tours.
• Rent a bike to get around town and see more.
• If you have multiple main points of interest, choose a hotel in a nice area that is well-served by public transportation.
• Share a taxi if the bus doesn’t go where you want to go.
• You may be able to donate your newspaper to a local school while you’re away.
• Pick up litter you see and carry it to the next trash receptical.
• Don’t buy any animal products like shells or furs. The animals were likely killed for this item, and if they weren’t killed, their natural habitat was likely disrupted.
• Disposable cameras are wasteful and expensive. Avoid them.