How to Reduce Waste & Lower Carbon Emissions on Vacation
Eco-friendly vacations are easier - and more fun - than you think. Here are 10 ways to save money on vacation and be kind to the planet at the same time.
These family-friendly travel activities reduce waste, lighten landfills, and lower carbon emissions – and save money without you even noticing! For example, traveling by train is the most eco-friendly way to travel (unless you sign up for a bike tour, which is even more green and economical).
For more easy ways to lighten your footstep and save money while traveling, try these eco-friendly ways to reduce carbon emissions.
Green Travel Tips That Save Money
- Print your maps & tourist information before you go. Instead of buying expensive guidebooks and maps, which are heavy and cumbersome, print the sections you need from online travel websites.
- Pack light. Apply the golden rule of packing: estimate what you think you’ll need, and cut it by half. Extra weight not only requires extra fuel, it may cost you additional baggage costs.
- Buy a solar charger. Most cameras, phones and iPods can be charge with a solar charger, which saves carbon dioxide emissions and energy. You’ll save money at home, and you won’t use extra energy resources while you’re overseas.
- Stay with family, friends or acquaintances. Hotels use massive amounts of energy and resources through daily cleaning, mini bottles of shampoo, lights burning unnecessarily, and so on. If you do stay at a hotel, re-use your towels, sheets, bathroom glasses and other amenities.
- Look into a home exchange. This type of ethical tourism allows you to get an insider’s feel for the country while stimulating local economic growth. You’ll live like a local, buy home-grown produce and goods, and eat in neighborhood restaurants.
- Travel by train or bicycle. Trains and bikes are the most eco-friendly transportation options.
- Rent small cars. The smaller your car, the less gas money you’ll spend – and the fewer emissions will pour into the air. Better yet, ride buses, trains and subways as much as you can. Look into hybrid-electric or biodiesel cars, which may not be as expensive as you think.
- Eat local. Picnic at least once a day with food from the local market or grocery store – it’s healthier, less expensive, and often tastier. Always have your own refillable water bottle, and buy water purification tablets if the water is a concern.
- Visit parks and nature reserves. Supporting the protected areas ensures that they’ll be maintained. The entrance fees are usually reasonable, and you’re often encouraged to stay as long as you like.
- Buy local handicrafts. Refrain from buying souvenirs that exploit wildlife or the environment, such as ivory, tortoiseshell, coral or animal hides. Handicrafts made by locals are not only sustainable, they’re often less expensive.
Go here to check out more articles