Green Tips at Home and On the Road

How environmentally sensitive are you in your daily life? Do you recycle? Is organic food at least part of your diet? What about resource conservation with energy and water? And if this is part of the way you live, do you take those habits on the road?

When you stop to think how much the hospitality industry consumes resources in the effort to have ample light, clean sheets and towels, hot water and proper climate for their guests, you'll understand why you should take your green habits with you when you travel.A typical hotel purchases more resources and products in one week than 100 families do in one year! There are a variety of steps you can take that will help the hospitality industry reduce its consumption and shrink its environmental footstep.

Your green lifestyle shouldn't stop when you leave home. Here are some green tips from EnviroCitizen.org for when you're out on the road.

Before you leave home:

• Turn your water heater down to the lowest possible setting
• Turn off air conditioning/heat or adjust accordingly for plants, etc.
• Unplug appliances, TV's and any other electricity consuming devices.They consume energy even when they are not turned on.
• Stop or suspend your newspaper service until you arrive back home
  
  
  While at your accommodation:
  
  
  • Participate in hotel linen programs or let the hotel know that it's not necessary to change your sheets and towels every day.
  • 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 and packages of amenities in the guestroom if unopened.
  • Take used bars of soap home.
  • Instead of leaving bathroom lights on all night, pack a night light for any extra lighting you may require.
  • 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.
  • Carry bottled water with you.Refill as needed.
  • Reduce fast food waste whenever possible.
  • Avoid Styrofoam.Carry your own cup.
  • Avoid room service and carryout.
  • When offered individual packages of condiments, take only what you will use.
    
    If you follow some or especially all of EnviroCitizen.org's suggestions for green travel, you can insure that you will have an eco-friendly vacation that will leave you stress-free AND guilt-free!