With better awareness of the harm that we are causing to our planet, there are many people who have started to take steps to ensure that they contribute positively to the environment. Towels are not being washed every day, the use of disposables is reduced and there is a drive towards less synthetic apparel too. But are we really that careful when we travel? The holiday mood does tend to make us a little carefree about all things, including our ‘green intent’. But if you think about it, it does not take much to remain green even as you travel. Check out some of these green travel tips that you could use.
Green Travel Tips Before Leaving Home
- Make sure that you turn all the lights off when you leave for a vacation.
- Unplug appliances such as the television, cable boxes and all other kitchen appliances too.
- Turn off the water heater and leave the thermostat at the minimum that you need for your indoor plants, if you have any.
- Close the water valve from the mains
- Ask for the newspaper not to be delivered for the number of days that you are away.
Green Travel Tips During the Travel
- Purchasing an electronic ticket is far more convenient and ecofriendly as compared to a paper one.
- When renting a car to get around, choose a hybrid model that is greener. This is a model that has two engines – one that runs on gas and another that runs on electricity. With no fear of being stranded due to the gas engine, the hybrid rental car allows you to save on fuel too. Fox Rent A Car offers the Honda Insight Hybrid as an affordable eco-friendly rental car option!
- Pack light so that your rental car does not have to literally bear the burden of the extra luggage. Extra load means more fuel wastage.
- Try and not accelerate and decelerate the car and maintain a steady pace as much as possible. Just keep a little more distance to the car in front of you and this should be very easy, even in heavier traffic!
- Use the GPS to find shorter and more convenient routes rather than taking the freeway everywhere.
Green Travel Tips At the Vacation Venue
- Take advantage of the linen programs that hotels have initiated and do not ask for new towels every day.
- Turn of the air conditioner or heating, lights, and television when you leave the room
- Close the drapes to ensure no loss of heat from the room.
- Take the used bars of soap back home in the soap wrappers
- When you use the hotel sauna, fitness equipment, whirlpool or Jacuzzi switch it off after you are done.
- When buying gifts to take back home, choose items that are green. Souvenirs bought without much thought often land up in a corner of the house, never to be looked at again. Look for local handicrafts that are made out of green material.
Keep these green travel tips in mind and don’t lose your green focus even when you are traveling.
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Hey Fox Rent A Car! Thanks for sharing these green travel tips on your blog! I try to “think and act green” even when I am on vacation and I truly appreciate that you make it easier for me, as you offer a Hybrid as a rental car option! I will definitely be renting a car from you on my next trip!
Judy
P.S. Remember that even little changes can make a big difference!