Top Tips and Products for an Eco-Friendly Vacation
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As travel has gotten more accessible over the last decade, many people have been taking advantage and planning increasingly more trips and vacations.
Although many of us have a wanderlust that we are seeking to fulfill, increasing our travel may cause harm to the environment.
With awareness of eco-friendly options constantly on the rise, there are now more ways than ever to protect the environment on your upcoming trips. And eco vacations become very popular nowadays.
There are more and more nature-friendly resorts open every year.
Many places are now promoting “Green Travel” and eco-friendly practices when on the go! Not only are there many simple swaps you can make to ensure more eco-friendly travel, but there are also many products you can purchase that help the environment!
17 Top Tips for an Eco-Friendly Vacation
1. Travel to Destinations that don’t require you to Fly
Not only will this help with the reduction of CO2 emissions, but this will also encourage you to explore the amazing local attractions near you!
Check out the eco-friendly vacations USA list to see the top places to visit in every state. Although traveling via car still releases CO2 emissions, you will experience increasingly more CO2 released when traveling via plane. When possible, consider other forms of transportation, including trains, buses, boats, and cars.
2. When you Do Decide to Fly, Book Nonstop Flights
Did you know that the largest sum of CO2 is released at the takeoff and landing of a flight? If you can book nonstop flights, you can ensure that less CO2 is being released into the environment.
3. Use E-tickets and Get your Receipts Emailed Rather than Printed
Although it is a small gesture, we all have a responsibility to do our part in reducing the use of paper products. Whether you are securing tickets for a flight, train, or show – try getting email receipts and e-tickets for the events on your itinerary.
4. Always Remember to Turn off the Lights, Turn off the Air Conditioning, and Unplug your Cords
Whether you stay at a hotel or a hostel, there are things that you can do to conserve energy. If everyone committed to turning off lights and unplugging cords that were not being used, it would conserve an incredible amount of energy. Practicing this habit is a contribution we can make to the environment whether we are at home or on the go.
5. When you Do Stay in a Hotel, Search for an Eco-friendly Hotel
According to National Geographic, the demand for sustainable hotels is on the rise. With this rise in demand, there are increasingly more eco-friendly hotel brands popping up throughout the United States and the globe. That is why eco-friendly vacations in the USA also gaining popularity.
Some sustainable initiatives that are taken on by eco-friendly hotels include low-flow toilet systems, solar power energy, and using products produced by environmentally cautious brands. Check out the list of eco-friendly hotels and explore some most amazing sustainable hotels that are located around the world.
6. Hang up and Reuse Your Towels
Although it is a nice luxury to have hotels constantly taking your towels and replacing them with fresh ones, it promotes an excess use of water. By hanging up your towels and being willing to reuse them, you save water and energy that would be used in the cleaning cycle, and that should be like a green travel policy whenever you stay.
7. In Addition to Preserving Water from Reusing Towels, Take Shorter Showers
You can be easily distracted and lose track of time while taking a shower after a long day. Be cognizant of the environment and keep your showers brief to reduce water waste.
8. Make Your Next Vacation and Outdoor Adventure
If you decide to take a trip that includes exploring the outdoors, consider camping! When participating in an outdoor adventure, many of your activities throughout the day are not involving excess chemicals, energy, and products.
If your activities throughout the day consist of hiking, swimming, and other economically and environmentally friendly activities, you will help reduce any energy spent in hotels or on activities.
Not only will you help the environment by taking your next vacation outdoors, but you will also be able to save a large sum of money on lodging, dining, and activities. Check out the best places to camp article to see some of the most incredible places to camp in the world.
9. If you Do Take Your Trip Outdoors, Make Sure to Protect the Ecosystem and Preserve Nature
Whether Eco tourism (camping or hiking), make sure you clean up all trash and litter along your path. Don’t pick flowers, feed wild animals, or leave a mess that could harm nature.
10. When Choosing Where to Dine, Veer Away from Buffets
Many buffets produce a much larger amount of food than will be bought or consumed by their customers. Due to health and safety precautions, only a small amount can be repurposed towards a charity or given away. By doing your part to prevent food waste, you can help make a positive environmental and economic impact.
11. Try Eating Local Cuisines and in Local Restaurants
When eating locally, there are fewer products and emissions used from shipping products across the country or the world. Not only will you support the local economy, but you will also be experiencing the town you are in as a local. Eating locally provides more options for organically grown food that reduces the chemicals and harmful hormones used in the environment.
12. Not Only Should you Eat local, Buy Local
You can help to reduce the emissions that are used from transporting products to different towns if you buy local food, It helps support local wildlife and workforce. It promotes a more direct transaction that minimizes the carbon footprint.
13. Bring a Reusable Water Bottle Wherever you go
Bringing a reusable water bottle reduces the temptation to pick up a plastic water bottle when on the go. Reducing the use of plastic bottles has a great impact on the environment. After decades of plastic piling up in landfills, now is the time to take a stand and promote more sustainable products.
14. In addition to Reusable Water Bottles, Bring a Travel Coffee Mug on Your Next Trip
Many coffee shops and restaurants are willing to put your to-go coffee in a reusable mug rather than the ones they typically use at their restaurant. Always have a mug ready to have refilled on the go. Sometimes coffee shops even give you a discount when you bring your own mug. IT MIGHT BE CHANGED AFTER THE COVID-19 IS OVER, THOUGH.
15. Try to Reduce the Use of Plastic Wherever you Go
Bring your own reusable grocery bags to the farmers’ market, refuse to use disposable plates and silverware, and try to use as little paper and plastic as possible. When traveling, it is easy to make a decision based on convenience. Even if it seems convenient to use paper and plastic products, come prepared so that you have sustainable products for every situation.
16. No Matter Where you Go, Pack Lightly
The weight of the luggage you bring contributes to the overall weight of the vehicle and the amount of fuel that will be burned. Not only will your life be easier because you are carrying less luggage, but you will also be helping reduce the overall fuel used in transportation.
Read the packing travel guide to learn the best packing tips for your eco vacation
17. If you are Renting a Car on Your Next Trip, Choose One that is Eco-friendly
Take advantage of many options for vehicles that are battery-operated or hybrids. These cars save time and money when traveling. Make a wise decision about the type of car you want to travel around on your upcoming trip.
Read more about eco-friendly ways of transportation
6 Top Products for an Eco-Friendly Vacation
Not only are there many ways to promote environmentally friendly behaviors when on the go, but there are also many products that help make sustainable tourism easier. Check out some of the most amazing sustainable products below.
1. Sustainable Water Bottle
S’well bottles are both reusable and made by environmentally cautious experts. Not only are they well made, but they also have many campaigns where they donate a bottle for every bottle you purchase.
2. Travel Cup
The Package Free Glass & Cork Coffee Cup is the size of a standard coffee cup and made with recycled materials. If you go to your favorite coffee shop and ask for a latte to be put in the mug, it will come out to be a perfect size. This cup is barista friendly and sustainable.
3. Luggage
Tentree plants ten trees for every product you purchase. They have amazing luggage options in all shapes and sizes. Their production reduces the use of CO2, and they conduct all operations with a Zero Waste Future in mind.
4. Reusable Grocery Bag
Purifyou has mesh bags, insulated bags, and standard totes that will fit all your needs. In addition, they sell accessories to help you implement more sustainable practices.
5. Solid Toiletries
Lush has a line of products that are easy to travel with because they take up very little space and utilize no nasty plastic.
6. Travel Towel
This eco-friendly travel towel works to keep you healthy by reducing a large number of chemicals and bacteria. Not only are Norwex Microfiber towels incredibly sustainable, but they are also lush, dry fast, and easy to travel with.
Final Thoughts
There is no excuse not to use sustainable practices when traveling. With so many quick swaps and sustainable products in the market, there are more ways than ever to have a vacation that helps the environment rather than harming the environment.
Many of these practices not only conserve energy, but also save the overall amount of money you spend. Do your part in promoting eco-friendly and sustainable travel practices.
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