A whopping 87% of travelers say they would like to travel sustainable. The trouble is that there is no clear definition of what it means to travel sustainable.
Plus, there are some things about travel — like transportation — that are unavoidably bad for the environment. However, there are plenty of little things you can do to be more environmentally conscious the next time you venture out into the world.
Let’s take a look at a few ideas here.
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1. Skip the Plastic
We all know to avoid those treacherous plastic bags at the grocery store. You probably keep a couple in your car so you’ll always have them on hand when you need to make a grocery run.
But we often forget about minimizing plastic while on vacation. Toss a couple of cloth shopping bags in your pack and you’ll be prepared when you need one.
Also, to avoid plastic use in other ways, bring your own soaps and toiletries in little reusable bottles. That way you won’t have to use the hotel’s supply and have those bottles end up in the trash. It is also important to bring along your own water bottle and don’t buy countless plastic water bottles during your vacation.
2. Fly Less, Bus More
Traveling the world requires some form of transportation. We all know that planes, trains, and automobiles are some of the biggest offenders when it comes to CO2 emissions.
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But not all forms of transportation let off the same emissions. Airplanes let off an average 1.83 pounds per passenger mile (one mile traveled by one passenger). Buses, on the other hand, let off a mere 0.17 pounds per passenger mile.
Traveling by bus can be far more comfortable and just as convenient as an airplane, depending on the route. For example, RedCoach makes the trip from Ft. Lauderdale to Tampa, FL a breeze!
3. Offset Your Emissions
Flying is unavoidable for some trips unless you want to spend two weeks on a boat from America to Europe. But you can still do something about those emissions by offsetting them.
You can do this for free by booking your flight through search engines that use part of their commissions to plant trees or invest in solar power. Or you can purchase a carbon-offset trip. These group trips factor the cost of offsetting your emissions into the price of the package.
4. Turn Off the Lights
At home you might be more inclined to turn off the lights because you’re the one paying the bills. But leaving the lights, TV, and AC or heat on in your hotel room when you don’t need them is wasting energy all the same.
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Take your good energy-saving habits with you on vacation for a simple way to be environmentally friendly while seeing the world.
Be an Environmentally Conscious Traveler
It doesn’t take much to be environmentally conscious while on vacation. If you have already cultivated good habits at home, simply bring those with you.
Avoid the methods of transport that put off the most emissions or offset them and you’ll be a super eco-traveler.
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