Traveling Green: 7 Tips

There's something about being away from home that makes you loosen all of your usual standards. You don't worry do much about getting up early or being constructive with your time or even changing your clothes (yes, men, I'm talking about you). You're on vacation, it's time to relax and not worry about a thing.

But millions (maybe even billions) of people travel and go on vacations every year. And if all of them loosen their standards --especially their environmental ones-- when they're away from home, the impact on the environment can be severe. Sure, you might try to be green during most of your day to day life. But just because you're on vacation doesn't mean those standards should go right out the window.

Have "travel nut" in your description in your internet dating profile? Here are a few tips for fitting your travel in with your passion for all things green.

1. Conserve. When you're home, both your expenses and your ideals encourage you to conserve water and energy. But many of us (myself included) tend to take a break from those tendencies when we're on vacation. Don't. It doesn't take much extra effort to be a little greener when you're on vacation. Ask the hotel management not to change your towels and sheets every day. Don't open toiletries that you're not going to use (and take home the remainder of any half-used ones). Drink from glass cups instead of plastic ones, or reuse any plastic cups during various days. And turn the lights, air conditioning, and TV off whenever you leave your room. Just as you would when you're at home.

2. Invest. Flying is one of the most damaging things you can do to the environment. The amount of CO2 released during your typical airline flight is staggering. Fortunately, many airlines offer an option to offset your CO2 emissions with an investment in green technology for a fee. Don't see this option when you book your tickets? Look for an airline that recycles, or offset your trip by making your own personal investment in green technology.

3. Go paperless. Especially if you're over 30, the idea of having a paper ticket in your hand to confirm your trip is an attractive one-- after all, it's what you've been used to all your life. But try to skip the paper ticket, if you can. Instead, purchase e-tickets, saving on paper use and on delivery (saving more gas and CO2 emissions). If your hotel offers electronic check out, use it. The less paper record you have of your trip, the less the effect your trip will probably have on the planet.

4. Don't rent. Renting a car when you're on vacation can be incredibly tempting. A car makes it so easy to get around! But if possible, don't. Instead, use the airport transportation provided by your hotel, or hop onto public transportation. Take walking tours and enjoy actually being in a new place instead of just seeing it flash by through the car window.

5. Recycle. Most hotels don't recycle (though you can do searches for green hotels online). If you want to be a green traveler, you'll probably have to do any recycling yourself. Scout out recycling containers in your hotel's area, and separate and recycle your trash yourself. It takes just a couple of minutes, and can make a big difference for the environment.

6. Prepare your home. When your home isn't occupied, you should be saving as much power as possible. If you have a tank water heater, turn it to the lowest possible setting. Turn off the air conditioning or heating, or set it as high or low as you can. Unplug any appliances you can, especially large appliances that eat up energy even when they're turned off.

7. Advertise. Hotels and airlines aren't going to bother going green unless their customers demand it. After all, it's not always cost-effective to make that extra effort. So when you travel, let the hotels you stay in and the airlines you fly know that you care about conservation-- and would appreciate if they made the effort, as well. The more businesses hear from consumers who care about going green, the more effort they'll make to protect the environment.

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