 Are you at a loss for how to go green on your next trip? Not anymore, because EnviroCitizen.org has generated some green destination tips to help get you started.
Before You Leave Home
- Turn water heater to "Vacation" or lowest setting.
- Turn off AC/heat or adjust the thermostat to protect plants, etc.
- Turn water off at outside connection (to prevent flooding should a pipe break while you're gone).When you return, turn on the water slowly and check for problems.
- Appliances, such as TVs and cable converter boxes should be unplugged because they can draw or "leak" as much as 40 watts per hour even when they're off.
- Turn icemaker off ( lift wire ) to prevent flooding should it break while you're away.
- Lower the temperature of waterbed heaters at least ten degrees.
- Stop your newspaper.You may be able to donate it to a school.
Preparing for Green Travel
- Purchase electronic-tickets for airline travel whenever possible.There’s less waste.If paper tickets are lost, they may cost $75-100 to have replaced.
- Enjoy walking tours.Walk where sensible.
- Use public transportation when available.
- Use the hotel van instead of renting a car.Use the bus or local transit system.Share taxis because it results in less pollution and you can leave the driving to others.
- If you're driving, turn your motor off when idling.Encourage tour/bus drivers to turn the motor off when idling.
- Don't allow anything to be thrown out of your car windows ever.
Things to Do at the Hotel
- Participate in hotel linen programs, or let the hotel know that it's not necessary to change your sheets and towels every day.
- To keep track of which towel belongs to which family member, pack a handful of safety pins and small colored beads.Attach a pin and bead to each towel, using a designated color for each family member.Remove the pins before checkout.
- Reduce the amount of water used for bathing or showering.
- When you leave your hotel room, turn off the AC/heat, lights, TV and radio.Close the drapes.
- Participate in hotel recycling programs by placing recyclables in appropriate bins.
- Carry a dry cleaning or grocery bag with you in which to carry dirty laundry home.
- Leave little bottles of amenities in the guestroom if unopened.
- Pack a permanent marker and write each person's name on the cups in the hotel bathroom.It's also handy for writing names on water bottles and lots of other things.
- Keep bar soap wrappers and take used bars of soap home.
- Let hotel management know, by speaking directly to management or writing them a note, that you want them to conserve and that you want to participate.
- Instead of leaving bathroom lights (and fans) on all night, it's wise to pack night lights for hotel stays.
- If the hotel provides complimentary newspapers, pass yours on to someone else, or leave it in the lobby for another reader.Ask the hotel to see that it's recycled.
- Be sure to turn off exercise equipment, sauna, whirlpool, Jacuzzi or tennis court lights when you're through.
- Check out of the hotel via the hotel's electronic program available on the TV in some hotels.You can view your bill, approve it, and help reduce paperwork.
- Environmental programs or events may be listed on "things to do in the area" portion of the in-house TV programming.
Hopefully EnviroCitizen.org’s list of green destination tips has given you a great idea of how to get started as well as what to do once you get there.Good luck and safe trip! |
