Green Traveling Tips You Can Use*
With nearly 1 billion tourists crisscrossing the globe every year, it is more important than ever for travelers to minimize their individual impact on the earth’s natural resources.
- Before you leave home, turn down the thermostat on your hot water heater, adjust your air-conditioning or heat thermostat, and stop your newspaper.
- Let the property know that you don’t need your sheets and towels changed every day.
- Keep your showers short, and shut off the water while you’re brushing your teeth.
- When you leave the room, turn off the air conditioning, heat, television, lights or any other electronic devices.
- Bring your own toiletries and drinking cup rather than using the prepackaged ones provided. If you do use the hotel’s toiletries, reduce waste by taking them with you and use them at home or during the rest of your trip.
- Ask about the property’s recycling program and sort your trash accordingly. If the property does not recycle, consider taking your empty bottles or other items home with you to recycle them there.
- Pack light – estimate what you think you’ll need, and then reduce it by half. Extra weight not only requires more fuel, it may cost you more in baggage.
- Take public transportation or walk whenever possible.
- Give the property feedback by expressing appreciation for eco-friendly programs it currently offers. If it doesn’t have any, encourage management to “go green” in the future.
* Source: MSNBC article, “Green Travel Tips,” by Sarah Schlichter
Filed under: Tips on April 7th, 2009 | No Comments »
