I love vacations! We just returned from a fabulous week in Arizona where we attended our niece’s wedding. However, preparing to go on vacation is my least favorite part of the experience. The days leading up to our trip were hectic, this time even more hectic than in the past. Why? In addition to preparing for the trip, I tried to do it in an environmentally friendly way.
Many people are beginning to plan their summer vacations now. If you’re one of them, I want to encourage you to keep in mind how your travels will affect the environment. I’m not one of those extremists who believe we should never travel more than 25 miles from home. However, I do think there are many things we can do to reduce the impact our travels have on our environment, no matter how far we are traveling.
Since this was my first time traveling with the environment in mind, I didn’t do all I could because, frankly, I didn’t think of everything. So this list of suggestions contains both things I did, and things I realized I should have done.
- Pack lightly. Whether you’re traveling by air or by car, the more weight you pack the more fuel is required. As I debated how many pairs of shoes I would need, my husband smiled slyly and said, “Every pair of shoes you take wastes more fuel. That’s not very green, you know.” After giving him a sneer, I realized he was right. A few pairs of shoes went back into the closet. In addition, if you’ve got the ability to do laundry on your trip, you don’t need an outfit for each day you’re gone.
- Travel in a direct route. If you’re flying, try to book a direct flight. If you’re driving, determine the most direct route. The less meandering you do when going from point A to point B, the less fuel you’ll use. If you’re driving, this will save you money, too.
- Pack snacks wisely. Car trips call for snacks on hand and, by now, we all know to bring our own snacks on the plane. However, you don’t need to buy individually wrapped packages that generate a lot of trash. You can buy snacks in bulk and put them in reusable containers.
- Use a fuel efficient car. If you rent a car, rent the most fuel-efficient vehicle you can. Some rental companies have hybrid vehicles available now. We tried to do this for our trip, but, when we got to the counter, they didn’t have the car we reserved. They gave us something they said was comparable, but their idea of comparable was something the same size.
- Choose restaurants that have reusable dishes and utensils, not disposable ware. We went out for tacos one afternoon and, when we finished eating, all the Styrofoam we threw in the trash horrified me. Next time, I will check out eating establishments more thoroughly.
- Support the local economy. Eat at independently owned restaurants, not in a chain. Buy one-of-a-kind souvenirs from local artists, not from souvenir shops that sell plastic items made in China. If you see a farmer’s market, stop and support the local farmers. Load up on local produce, cheese, and bread then have a picnic.
- Turn appliances down or off. Adjust your thermostat so energy is not wasted cooling or heating an empty house. Switch off all electronics and unplug any appliance that is not a necessity. Turn off or lower the temperature on the hot water heater. The few minutes it takes to reset your alarm clock, or reprogram the stations on your under-the-counter kitchen radio, are also well worth the energy saved.
- Clean out the refrigerator before you go. Give food to your neighbors that will spoil so it doesn’t go to waste. Put any food you can in the freezer and you will have something to eat when you return.
Nothing I’ve proposed here will alter your vacation very much. You’ll still go where your heart desires and enjoy yourself. However, you might just have a little extra enjoyment knowing your travels are leaving a less harmful trail behind you.
