until you’ve passed through security. Fill
them up on the other side of the security
check point. Single use plastic water bottles create unnecessary waste that’s clogging our overflowing landfills and the
plastic can be harmful to your health.
• Shop Locally. Show your support for the
community you are visiting by eating
locally and frequenting the local shops.
Look for farmer’s markets and restaurants
that showcase local products. Locally
products don’t have to travel far to reach
you so the carbon emissions are much
less than products that are imported. Use
Greenmap.org to download local maps to
help find the best green living resources in
your area.
• Public Transportation, Walk or Bike.
Once you arrive at your destination use
your legs or rent a bike to see the sights.
Using public transportation, walking or
biking will keep your carbon footprint to
a minimum. There’s no better way to tire
those little ones out and guarantee a good
night’s sleep for all.
• Stay in an Eco-Friendly Hotel. Many
hotels throughout the world are focusing
their efforts on becoming ‘green’ hotels
with sustainable practices. Take the time
before you book a hotel room to do a little research and verify that your hotel is
among the eco-friendly. Check in with
a hotel rating site like Eco Hotels of the
World which is a free online guide created
to showcase the most environmentallyfriendly hotels in the world.
• Turn off the Lights, Turn Off the AC.
Save energy by remembering to turn off
the hotel room lights when you head out
for the day. Open up a few windows and
turn off the air conditioner (provided the
outside temperature isn’t too hot) and
turn off the television. Involve your children and have them help keep their good,
green habits from home in place while
traveling.
• Take Advantage of the Linen Reuse
Program. Many hotels have programs in
place where you can opt out of the daily
sheet and towel service. I don’t change my
towels and sheets every day at home so
why would I need that service on vacation? What a simple way to conserve water and energy. Encourage your children
to hang their towels after use so they can
be reused the following day.
• Cut Back on the Showers. Sometimes
vacation can mean more than one shower
each day-once in the morning and again
after getting out of the pool. Create awareness around the number of showers and
the length of showers. Try to cut back to
conserve water and energy. If your kids
are small have them bathe together!
• Bring Your Reusable Bags. Pack your
reusable bags in your suitcase so they are
ready to head to the store, farmers market
or beach with you. What a simple way to
avoid plastic bags and make a big difference.
Each tip is a small, simple way to make a
big impact on the environment. Happy
travels!
Lori Popkewitz Alper is the founder and editor-in-chief of Groovy Green Livin, a site dedicated to sharing simple green living tips and
current information on sustainable living with
individuals, families, schools and businesses.
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