The environmental impact of taking a vacation can be significant unless you make the effort to determine which companies, brands and activities support sustainable practices. A little common sense and pre-planning can make a big difference in how much your travel plans affect the planet and the community you are visiting. These seven eco-friendly travel tips can help you make only a very small carbon footprint into the world you are exploring.
1. Airlines – Since most travel plans began with airline reservations, consider booking your flight on one of the major airlines that have adopted the"green" initiatives set forth in the EPA's Blue Skyways Collaborative such as Southwest Airlines, Virgin America, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines. These carriers are committed to reducing their carbon emissions, the amount of fuel they use -- even using bio-fuels like coconut oil -- as well as promoting recycled materials for onboard publications and offering natural snacks and beverages.
2. Hotel Chains – Hotel chains across the world have responded to the eco-traveler's desire to have accommodations that foster sustainable practices, and some are even designed to be eco-friendly on the ground up, like the Starwood chain owned by Westin. The Hilton chain has been adopting programs aimed at conservation and recycling, and the Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Town Center is their crowning achievements so far. The Marriott hotel chain has won the EPA's Sustained Excellence Award three years running and even has pillows made of recycled plastic bottles.
3. Luggage – Yet another way to give the planet are helping hand is to select luggage and handbags made of sustainable materials like hemp, bamboo, canvas, recycled materials and nontoxic dyes. You don't have to sacrifice quality or style to have great looking luggage that does not compromise animals or promote harmful harvesting activities. The Sierra Club has put their brand on luggage they consider sustainable, and Eco Traveler offers luggage sets made of hemp that use zero PVCs in their fabrication.
4. Activities – Unfortunately, finding vacation activities that do not compromise the environment can be challenging, because many tourist-related businesses by their very nature inflict some level of damage on the surrounding countryside. Obviously, anything powered by fossil fuel -- such as boats, ATVs, motorcycles or helicopters -- should be avoided as much as possible. Sailing, bicycling, windsurfing, hang gliding, bungee jumping, skateboarding, skiing (both water and snow), diving, swimming and hiking are just a few ways to have a wonderful experience getting to know the countryside you are visiting while leaving nothing behind but foot prints.
5. Dining – Local cuisine can be tempting, but it is always a good idea to do your research and understand what you may be offered to eat and what is entailed in harvesting and serving it. To be on the safe side, become acquainted with local organic grocery stores, farmers markets and vegetarian restaurants that flourish around the world, giving travelers the chance to select healthy, nutritious food. The establishments can also serve as an excellent place to get tips on local dishes, beverages and treats.
6. Gadgets – From solar-powered cell phones to rechargeable batteries, there are many ways to ensure your modern gadgets are not wasting energy just to keep you connected. To keep safe from waterborne germs you could come in contact with while traveling, consider packing along one of those water filter bottles made with recycled natural materials, especially the companies like the Australian-based Frais that offer to support organizations like "Just a Drop Foundation" which works to provide clean water systems in developing countries.
7. Transportation – Eco-friendly companies that offer ground transportation is not as hard to find as you may think, especially since many limousine and shuttle providers are adapting alternative fuels and energy saving tactics. Some destinations even offer rental cars that run on bio-fuels and come complete with coolers and plasticware so travelers will have an alternative to disposable containers for storing food and leftovers. Also look into local pedi-cabs (modern day rickshaws) for getting around crowded parts of major cities, bicycle rentals for touring the immediate area and local public transportation for visiting landmarks.
Read more at Suite101: Seven Eco-Friendly Travel Tips http://www.suite101.com/content/seven-eco-friendly-travel-tips-a290909
1. Airlines – Since most travel plans began with airline reservations, consider booking your flight on one of the major airlines that have adopted the"green" initiatives set forth in the EPA's Blue Skyways Collaborative such as Southwest Airlines, Virgin America, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines. These carriers are committed to reducing their carbon emissions, the amount of fuel they use -- even using bio-fuels like coconut oil -- as well as promoting recycled materials for onboard publications and offering natural snacks and beverages.
2. Hotel Chains – Hotel chains across the world have responded to the eco-traveler's desire to have accommodations that foster sustainable practices, and some are even designed to be eco-friendly on the ground up, like the Starwood chain owned by Westin. The Hilton chain has been adopting programs aimed at conservation and recycling, and the Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Town Center is their crowning achievements so far. The Marriott hotel chain has won the EPA's Sustained Excellence Award three years running and even has pillows made of recycled plastic bottles.
3. Luggage – Yet another way to give the planet are helping hand is to select luggage and handbags made of sustainable materials like hemp, bamboo, canvas, recycled materials and nontoxic dyes. You don't have to sacrifice quality or style to have great looking luggage that does not compromise animals or promote harmful harvesting activities. The Sierra Club has put their brand on luggage they consider sustainable, and Eco Traveler offers luggage sets made of hemp that use zero PVCs in their fabrication.
4. Activities – Unfortunately, finding vacation activities that do not compromise the environment can be challenging, because many tourist-related businesses by their very nature inflict some level of damage on the surrounding countryside. Obviously, anything powered by fossil fuel -- such as boats, ATVs, motorcycles or helicopters -- should be avoided as much as possible. Sailing, bicycling, windsurfing, hang gliding, bungee jumping, skateboarding, skiing (both water and snow), diving, swimming and hiking are just a few ways to have a wonderful experience getting to know the countryside you are visiting while leaving nothing behind but foot prints.
5. Dining – Local cuisine can be tempting, but it is always a good idea to do your research and understand what you may be offered to eat and what is entailed in harvesting and serving it. To be on the safe side, become acquainted with local organic grocery stores, farmers markets and vegetarian restaurants that flourish around the world, giving travelers the chance to select healthy, nutritious food. The establishments can also serve as an excellent place to get tips on local dishes, beverages and treats.
6. Gadgets – From solar-powered cell phones to rechargeable batteries, there are many ways to ensure your modern gadgets are not wasting energy just to keep you connected. To keep safe from waterborne germs you could come in contact with while traveling, consider packing along one of those water filter bottles made with recycled natural materials, especially the companies like the Australian-based Frais that offer to support organizations like "Just a Drop Foundation" which works to provide clean water systems in developing countries.
7. Transportation – Eco-friendly companies that offer ground transportation is not as hard to find as you may think, especially since many limousine and shuttle providers are adapting alternative fuels and energy saving tactics. Some destinations even offer rental cars that run on bio-fuels and come complete with coolers and plasticware so travelers will have an alternative to disposable containers for storing food and leftovers. Also look into local pedi-cabs (modern day rickshaws) for getting around crowded parts of major cities, bicycle rentals for touring the immediate area and local public transportation for visiting landmarks.
Read more at Suite101: Seven Eco-Friendly Travel Tips http://www.suite101.com/content/seven-eco-friendly-travel-tips-a290909
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