Top Tips and Products for an Eco-Friendly Vacation
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|Updated on November,28,2024|
Traveling has never been easier, and so many of us are embracing the joy of exploring new places. But let’s face it—our adventures can sometimes harm the planet. Top tips and products for an eco-friendly vacation can help you make travel choices that are better for the environment while still allowing you to enjoy your journey.
The great news? You can still travel while making eco-friendly choices that protect the environment and enhance your experience. From staying in green accommodations to reducing waste with reusable items, these small changes can make a big difference. Top tips and products for an eco-friendly vacation include using refillable water bottles, opting for eco-conscious transportation, and selecting accommodations that prioritize sustainability. Eco vacations aren’t just better for the planet—they make your travels more meaningful too!
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 Flying
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 & Email Receipts Instead of Printing
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 Turn Off Lights, AC, and Unplug 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. Choose Eco-Friendly Hotels When You Stay
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.
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. Reuse Towels and Take Shorter Showers to Save Water
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 do not involve 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.
9. Protect Ecosystems and Preserve Nature When Outdoors
Whether you’re camping or hiking, always clean up any trash and litter along your path. Avoid picking flowers, feeding wild animals, or leaving anything that could harm nature.
10. Opt for Individual Portions Over 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 Local Cuisines at 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. Support Local: Eat and Shop From Local Sources
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. By embracing top tips and products for an eco-friendly vacation, you support local wildlife and workforce, promote sustainable practices, and contribute to a more direct, eco-conscious transaction.
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. Bring a Reusable Travel Coffee Mug
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 or cafe. Always have a mug ready to have refilled on the go. Sometimes coffee shops even give you a discount when you bring your mug.
15. Try to Reduce the Use of Plastic
Bring your 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. Choose an Eco-friendly Rental Car for Your Next Trip
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. When planning your next vacation, consider these top tips and products for an eco-friendly vacation to make a positive impact on the environment by choosing sustainable transportation options.
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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