I am a Freelance Writer.
Reducing, reusing, and recycling can be a part of an everyday lifestyle because there are numerous things that can be done to make a home eco-friendly. It’s just as easy to go green during business trips, family vacations and holiday travel and here are a couple of ways to do it.
Going Green before the Trip
•Turn the water heater to the lowest setting.
•Turn off the air conditioner/heat or adjust the thermostat for plants.
•Unplug appliances like the TV, toaster, microwave and DVD player. According to the Green Hotel Association, they can leak as much as 40 watts/hour even when they are off.
•Stop any newspaper service.
•Avoid buying travel size products says Meaghan O’Neill, editor of Treehugger and PanetGreen.com, in an article for ABC news titled “Green Ideas: Tips for Eco-Friendly Travel.” Instead purchase reusable plastic containers to fill with products from home.
Making the Trip Eco-Friendly
•Take the train or the bus on short distances instead of flying. Airplanes use a great deal of fuel taking off and landing.
Go Green at the Hotel
•Stay at eco-friendly hotels. The Green Hotel Association has a listing of hotels in many states that are taking steps to green up their practices. Also, when considering a hotel, inquire as to what they are doing to help the environment. Many hotels have a linen program and use flow restricting shower heads, but this shouldn’t be the only way they are reaching out. Try to stay at hotels that are going above and beyond the minimum to run a “greener” establishment.
•When using the linen program during a hotel stay, it can be difficult to keep track of who used what towel. The Green Hotel Association suggests packing safety pins with small beads on them. Each family member should have a different color to pin to the towels they are using during the trip.
•Be sure to turn off the air/heat and lights and close the curtains when no one is going to be in the hotel room.
Be a Green Tourist
•Walk, take public transportation, or share a taxi instead of renting a car.
•The Green Hotel Association also recommends eating cuisine local to the region. For example eat seafood on the coasts, steak in the Midwest, etc.
An Environmentally Friendly Travel Experience
Living a greener lifestyle includes eco-friendly travel. With “going green” turning into the new black more and more companies are thinking about how their actions affect the environment. Traveling consumers need to heavily patronize those businesses that are actively becoming more eco-friendly as well as request greener practices from businesses that are not.
Get more travel related tips on camping, hiking, backpacking, air, train, cruise travel on Trip Planner
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
Make your trip memorable -- The Samsonite Cosmolite way
By: Murtaza. Soni | 21/11/2009Follow these tips for making your recreational trips a memorable experience. It is a Samsonite Cosmolite initiative.
Due diligence can save headaches when booking limo service
By: Danny Bacher | 20/11/2009Any time you ride in a chauffeured vehicle, you are putting your life in another person’s hands. Accidents can happen to any type of vehicle, chauffeured or not. And, while price is a consideration, an even larger concern should be if the company is properly licensed and insured for your state.
Highlights of Rio de Janeiro in November, Part II
By: Razvan Jr | 20/11/2009The article continues to review some of the most important events that are being held in Rio this month.
Finding Accommodation in St Lucia, South Africa
By: Frankie Fortune | 20/11/2009Accommodation in St Lucia, South Africa can be difficult to find if you don't know where to look. The choice between self-catering, bed and breakfast, guest house or hotel can be somewhat unnerving due to the differences in facilities and prices. I reside in St Lucia, South Africa, and currently know of a few of the best guest houses, lodges, and cottages, which provide bed and breakfast services to the public who may be looking for holiday accommodation.
Highlights of Rio de Janeiro in November, Part I
By: Razvan Jr | 20/11/2009The article briefly summarizes the most important events in Rio de Janeiro in November.
Things to do in Las Vegas Without Gambling
By: Steven Smithies | 20/11/2009What to do in Las Vegas, lets see... The Adventure Dome at Circus Circus, The New York New York, The Stratosphere Towers and Fremont Street Experience are just some of the things you can do in Las Vegas without gambling.
How a Laptop Bag Backpack Can Be Useful For Any Traveler
By: Alicia McWilliams | 20/11/2009The laptop is one of the best innovations in the world in that it helps to allow people to conduct business with others from practically anywhere. However, it will be important to keep it protected when on the go. A laptop backpack can help to keep a laptop protected while being properly transported. Different types of these backpacks will work for different laptops though.
Christmas in Barcelona
By: BarcelonaPoint | 20/11/2009Like many of the great European cities, Barcelona comes alive over the Christmas period. There are many traditions and activities for all ages as well as exciting festivals which capture the true spirit of Christmas.
Spring Break Travel Tips
By: Mayank Gupta | 04/07/2009 | Travel TipsReady for Spring Break? Of course you are! Here are some safety, travel, and money saving tips to help you out.
Eco-Friendly Travel Tips
By: Mayank Gupta | 04/07/2009 | Travel TipsIt is easy to forget about going green while traveling, but there are some really simple ways to take environmentally friendly trips.
Budget Hotels in Madrid
By: Mayank Gupta | 03/07/2009 | HotelsStaying somewhere chic in Madrid does not have to be exorbitantly expensive if you choose one of the new wave of edited luxury hotels that are springing up in the city.
Where to Stay in Stockholm on a Budget
By: Mayank Gupta | 03/07/2009 | HotelsStockholm hostels carry the most inexpensive prices when it comes to having a place to stay in Sweden's capital city.
Winter Car Travel Safety
By: Mayank Gupta | 01/07/2009 | Travel TipsWinter can be a dangerous time for a road trip, but many families still need to and want to travel. Minimize risks by following these winter car safety travel tips. It obviously isn't realistic for everyone to stop traveling for a big chunk of the year, and it isn't necessary. With some preparation and knowledge of how to handle winter weather
Family Travel Insurance
By: Mayank Gupta | 01/07/2009 | InsuranceMany times, families don't even consider travel insurance before a trip. It's certainly something you should research first, but also be aware you might not even need it if, for instance, your current health insurance covers you out of state or even out of the country. Here is a rundown of family travel insurance.
Strasbourg Travel Guide
By: Mayank Gupta | 07/06/2009 | DestinationsStrasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region of France and is most widely known for hosting a number of important European institutions. It is also famous for its beautiful historical centre - the Grande Île - which was the first city centre to be classified entirely as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Stellenbosch Travel Guide
By: Mayank Gupta | 07/06/2009 | DestinationsStellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement in the Western Cape Province, South Africa after Cape Town, and is situated about 50 kilometers (30 mi) away along the banks of the Eerste Rivier.