How to Have a More Eco-Friendly Vacation

Last Updated on November 28, 2022 by Ellen Christian

Wondering how to have a more eco-friendly vacation? We don’t tend to take all that many trips that require traveling. Most of our vacations involve short day trips in our area seeing local sites.  Every now and then I have to travel for business but in those cases, the traveling arrangements are generally handled by the client.  

Eco-Friendly Vacation

If you do travel frequently whether it’s for business or pleasure, there are a few things that you can do to have a more eco-friendly vacation. Since it’s the middle of vacation season, I wanted to share a few helpful tips you can use while planning your trip.

Fuel Efficiency

If you are handling your own travel arrangements, look into airlines that have more fuel efficient, newer airplanes. There are also a number of sites that allow you to purchase trees to be planted to offset your carbon footprint for the traveling you’re doing.  Look for a carbon footprint calculator that shows you what your footprint is and then allows you to purchase offsets.

Pack Necessities

Packing only what you need will help you stay more organized. It will prevent you from purchasing things you don’t need and won’t use. Plus, it will save on the amount of fuel needed to transport your things from your home to your vacation spot.

Travel Carefully

When you arrive at your destination, consider the most eco-friendly travel option.  Use public transportation instead of a taxi or private car. Walk if you are close enough to your destination. Choose to go surfing instead of water skiing.  Use a bicycle instead of a scooter.

Eat Local

When choosing where to eat, check out any local eating establishments. Your local chamber of commerce office should be able to recommend restaurants that advertise localvore or organic options.

Re-Use Linens

Some hotels offer you the option of re-using your linens for more than one day.  Face it, if you dry your clean hands on a towel do you really need to have it laundered again? Would you launder it if you were at home? This is one of the easiest ways to have a more eco-friendly vacation.

Turn Down the Air

When you’re in your room, turn down the air conditioner if possible.  Turn off the lights and television when you leave the room.  Leave the soaps and little shampoos for the next guest.  That saves the hotel from having to place more out the next day which results in purchasing less.

Watch Your Water

Watch your water usage.  Take shorter showers and don’t leave the water running while youyou’reshing up or brushing your teeth. If you need ice, don’t take any more than you need so you don’t waste it. Use the same tips you use to be eco-friendly at home and you’ll automatically make your trip a more eco-friendly vacation.

Re-use Cups

Don’t take a new paper cup each time you need a cup of water or coffee.  Better yet, bring your own cup from home and re-use it. Travel mugs and re-usable water bottles are always a great choice for traveling.

Enjoy Nature

See if there are any nature or environmental attractions in your area while you travel. Visit a butterfly garden  or walk on the beach to collect sea shells.

Skip the Souvenirs

If you purchase souvenirs, purchase an item that is made locally from sustainable resources.   Local honey or maple sugar candy is a great choice when visiting Vermont.  Consider jewelry made by local craftsmen. Avoid mass produced trinkets that are probably made in another country and are not recyclable. Better yet, skip the souvenir unless you reall need it.

Are you traveling this year? Do you have any eco friendly travel tips?

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