Green Travel Tips

Green earth globe in green grass

Environmentally Friendly Travel Tips for the Conscious Traveler:

  • Leave nothing but footprints.
  • Keep your showers short, and shut off the water while you're brushing your teeth.
  • When you leave the room, turn off the air conditioning, heat, television, lights or any other electric devices.
  • Reuse your sheets and towels instead of having them changed every day. Many hotels will not replace your towels if you leave them hanging up neatly; if you're not sure, write a note for the housekeeping staff or notify the front desk.
  • To keep track of which towel belongs to which family member, pack a handful of safety pins and small colored beads. Attach a pin and bead to each towel, using a designated color for each family member. Remove the pins before checkout.
  • Bring your own toiletries and drinking cup rather than using the prepackaged ones provided. If you do use the hotel's toiletries, take them with you and use them at home or during the rest of your trip.
  • If washing laundry while traveling, use ecofriendly laundry detergent like Forever New biodegradable laundry soap.
  • Know your hotel’s recycling program and sort your trash accordingly. If your hotel doesn't recycle, consider taking your empty bottles or other items home with you to recycle them there.
  • Give your hotel feedback. Express your appreciation for any eco-friendly programs it currently offers — or if it doesn't, encourage the management to go green in the future.
  • For shorter trips, take the train instead of flying — especially in Europe or other regions where train service is fast and frequent.
  • When renting a car, choose the smallest vehicle that can comfortably accommodate you. Decline any “free upgrades”(which will cost you more in gas).
  • Rent a hybrid car.
  • Whenever possible, use public transportation instead of a taxis or rental cars. Better yet, walk or bike.
  • Purchase electronic-tickets for airline travel whenever possible. Less waste.
  • Enjoy walking tours. Walk where sensible.
  • Carry a dry cleaning bag, clean dirty cube, or grocery bag with you in which to carry dirty laundry home.
  • Instead of leaving bathroom lights (and fans) on all night, it's wise to pack night lights for hotel stays.
  • 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.
  • When offered individual packages of condiments, take only what you'll use. Take only the brochures or maps necessary. Return others to the brochure stand.
  • Don't buy endangered species products such as tortoise shell, ivory, animal skins or feathers. Don't purchase star fish or turtle-shell related souvenirs or any creature that may have been put to death for the sake of a gift shop sale. These animals may have been killed specifically for tourist trade. Sea shells are questionable. The U. S. Customs office offers a list of items which cannot be imported or brought into the country.
  • Take only photographs. Do not take "souvenirs" from natural areas, historical areas or hotels.
  • Visit countries that support eco-tourism such as Costa Rica

We realize that one individual person can only do a small part to help the environment, but when everyone takes the environment seriously and does their part to help, small changes can turn into big changes. Lets keep our planet clean and beautiful for the next generation of travelers.