How to Be an Eco-Friendly Traveler

You’re itching to hit the road, but you don’t want to load up the car and head out on a road trip at the expense of the environment. If you’re an eco-minded consumer ready for a vacation, there are plenty of opportunities for you to take your green ways on the highway with you. Load up the car and keep these tips in mind for a trip that’s easy on the environment.

Choose Greener Hotels

As you’re looking at hotels, you’re sure to find that some are much greener than others. Make a point of investigating the eco-friendly practices in place at your destination hotel before booking a room. Look for a hotel that recycles, relies on high-efficiency appliances and CFL bulbs, uses low-flow shower heads, and incorporates environmentally friendly cleaning products in their housekeeping.

Hotels that are truly committed to green practices will typically feature information on their environmental initiatives on their website, but you can always call to ask about their products and practices as well. Patronizing hotels that are striving to be eco-friendly will encourage other hoteliers to follow suit. Make sure your financial support is going to establishments that support the environment.

Drive an Electric Vehicle

If you love the feel of the open road ahead of your and the miles flying away beneath your feet, but you don’t want to leave a large footprint when you travel, turn to a more environmentally friendly vehicle. Opt for an innovative car like the electric BMW i. This plug-in hybrid offers 420 lb-ft of torque in one sleek and efficient vehicle.

The environmentally friendly aspect of the BMW i goes beyond its fuel-efficient design. Simply producing the vehicle uses 50 percent less energy and 70 percent less water than conventional car manufacturing. It features sustainable materials in surprising places throughout its design, such as the eucalyptus wood and olive leaf tanned leather in the interior.

Ditch Your Disposables

Keep a keen eye out for wasteful disposables while you’re packing for your trip. Instead of stocking up on mini versions of your regular toiletries, opt for small reusable bottles instead. Parcel out shampoo, soap, and other essentials for your trip, and reuse the small bottles each time you travel. Save money, space, and the environment by using a reusable water bottle with a built-in filter instead of a cooler of bottled water.

As you’re packing snacks, try for bulk items stored in reusable sandwich bags and storage containers instead of small disposable bags. Skip fast food restaurants where each item is wrapped in paper or cardboard destined for a landfill and dine in when you can, using real plates and cutlery instead of the throwaway alternatives.

Check Out Local Eats

You can get a distinctive taste of an area’s flavor by dining at restaurants that emphasize local flavor. Look for restaurants that offer organic produce, hormone-free meats, free-range eggs, and other food products that support environmentally friendly production methods. Something as simple as choosing free-trade shade-grown coffee in the morning can have an impact on your overall travel footprint.

The best dining options when you’re on the road are those that feature locally sourced food products. When the tomatoes on your salad come from a farm down the road, and your steak is from cattle just a town or two away, your meal takes on a fresh new flavor. Establishments like these really let you know what a particular place is all about.

Adopt Eco-Friendly Shopping Habits

The best souvenirs when you’re on vacation are those that are unique to the location. Don’t buy something from a big box store that you could just as easily get at home. Shop for those charming finds that you can only find in a particular destination. Look for crafts that are made by local artisans or items that are only available in a particular region. Buy wool right from the alpaca farm, butter from the Amish settlement, or handmade candles from a local farmers’ market.

Purchasing these items supports small local sellers. You’re also eliminating the fuel consumption that comes with products that are shipped long distances to reach chain stores. The temptation for rampant consumerism is great when you’re on vacation with a little extra money in your pocket, but you’ll have a smaller impact on the environment if you spend a little more for quality local pieces rather than filling your bags with cheap tchotchkes from overseas.

If you want to take to the road while protecting the environment, these strategies will help you do just that. Green up your next vacation and help the planet while you travel.