7 Tips On Traveling Green

Being “green” is becoming less of a trend and more of the standard these days as more and more people understand the negative impact our behaviors can have on our beloved planet if we’re not careful. Travel, not surprisingly, is no exception. While it may seem counter-intuitive, there a number of easy things you can do to reduce waste and carbon emissions while traveling. As an added bonus, the green choice will often yield a less expensive trip.

1. Before you head out, be sure to unplug and power down as many appliances as possible. Electronics continue to eat up power when plugged in, even when not in use. Be sure to turn down the temperature of your water heater as well (big energy user).

2. We know that air travel is the easiest/only way to travel to certain destinations but the fact is that each pound of airplane emissions is about 2.8 times worse than emissions from other forms of transportation. Choose direct flights if you can; up to 80% of a plane’s fuel consumption happens during take-off and landing. Visit Flightstats.com to compare on-time records and avoid choosing airlines that waste fuel waiting for clearance.

3. Take public transportation such as buses and trains instead of taxis or car rentals. Better yet, walk or rent a bike. If a car is absolutely necessary, rent a hybrid.

4. Choose a green hotel – a hotel that is committed to sustainable development and takes proactive measures to save water and reduce solid waste. Many eco-friendly hotels also offer locally grown food that is both more nutritious and more delicious. Do your part to conserve during your stay as well. Small things like turning down the air conditioning (and turning it off when you leave) and opting out of housekeeping service can yield big energy savings. Visit Environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com to search for green hotels at your next travel destination.

5. Pack light. The heavier something is, the more resources it uses in order to reach its final destination.

6. No matter where you are (traveling or not), shop local. Support the local community and purchase items and food from local vendors. Products that have been shipped from other parts of the country or world are a waste of energy and resources.

7. Avoid buying disposable water bottles by bringing your own reusable one. Also, don’t forget your reusable shopping bag. No need to get out of habit just because you’re on the road. And while we’re on the topic, avoid using hotel shampoos and lotions as they are a huge waste of plastic.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to book your next international flight. Call us at 1-800-788-0829 or visit our website listed below.

By: Trisha Garbrick

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Trisha has been working with The Travel Team for over 10 years. She has traveled extensively across the world and has been booking travel to Australia for 8 years.