5 Ways to Travel Greener

You Can Travel Greener (image from Kevin Dooley on Flickr)

Not all hotels are created equal when it comes to environmental impact.  However, you can lower your carbon footprint while you’re on the road with a few simple steps.

Here’s 5 ways to travel greener:

1.  Re-use your towels at least once and ask that your bed not be changed during your stay.  The energy it takes to wash linens in hot water and dry them can really add up.  If the hotel doesn’t offer the cards for you to put out on the bed to ask them not to wash, then make a quick stop by the front desk and register your request.

2.  Turn off lights and adjust the thermostat before leaving the room. Just as in your own home, be cognizant of overall energy usage.  Minimize wasted electricity as much as possible, including unplugging appliances and charging devices.

3.  Pack your own toiletries from home and do not use pre-packaged hotel offerings.  So many mini shampoo bottles, lotions and soap are discarded each year. But if you leave the items that are offered each day and use your own, you can minimize this waste.  Some hotels have switched to refillable pump bottles, which is significantly greener than the alternative.  But in the meantime, pack your own to keep 1/2 used bottles out of the landfills.

4.  Locate nearby attractions and then walk or ride bicycles instead of driving.  Choosing a centrally located hotel is key to minimizing your environmental impact.  Consider what you want to see and do when you are on vacation and then plan accordingly.  The closer you are to your entertainment, the more realistic it is to use man-power (rather than fuel) to get there.

5.  Pack your own recyclables out of your room.  Take your newspaper, water bottles, aluminum cans and more to the local recycling facilities rather than tossing them in the trashbin.  Some hotels have centrally located recycling bins for guest use – ask when you check in.  The hope is that someday, more hotels will have both trash and recycle bins right there in the guest rooms.  Until then, be responsible on your own!

You can travel green, even if your hotel’s environmental impact could stand some upgrading.  Just remember to take your eco-friendly habits on the road with you!