11 Easy Ways to “Green” Your Next Vacation
I’m re-reading an excellent book, the green book: an everyday guide to saving the planet one simple step at a time, a 2007 New York Times bestseller by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigan. This amazing book contains nearly 200 pages of simple, easy-to-implement ways to save electricity, conserve water, and protect the environment, all the while saving you money. (A win/win!)
Chapter 3, “The Family Vacation That Ate the Planet” gives a quick overview of American travel habits and then gives some practical advice. Next time you travel, try these easy “green” ideas:
- use the same linens and towels in your hotel room throughout your stay (saves water and electricity, reduces impact of detergents on the environment)
- travel in groups (4 in a taxi instead of 2 automatically doubles fuel efficiency)
- pack lightly (each 10 lbs. over weight uses an additional 350 million gallons of jet fuel per year)
- use a digital camera (film processing uses harsh chemicals that are bad for the environment)
- try an eco-friendly cruise instead of a large cruise line (fewer passengers, less impact on marine habitats)
- use e-tickets instead of paper tickets (printing at home saves fees and the plain paper is more easily recyclable)
- pack your own shampoo, soap, and toothpaste (saves millions of those little plastic toiletry bottles)
- stop newspaper delivery while you’re away (keep unread newspapers out of landfills) and get a credit on your next bill!
- turn the thermostat up to 82 or down to 55 (you could save up to $100 per year on energy costs)
- turn off the lights, TV, and close the shades when you leave your hotel room (saves electricity)
- buy souvenirs from local manufacturers or craftsmen to support the local economy you’re visiting
Sprinked throughout the other 11 other fascinating chapters are testimonials from well-known stars (Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Anniston, Will Farrell, Robert Redford…) and hundreds of small choices and simple tips you can make to have a big impact on the health of Mother Earth. Also included is an extensive reference/resource guide (50 pages!) on every topic in the book, so you can get more information. Of course, there’s also a website: http://www.readthegreenbook.com Enjoy!
