We all have the power to make Earth-friendly decisions in our everyday lives, even when we are on the road! Small steps can make a big impact, so try following these simple steps the next time you travel:
WHILE PACKING
Bring Your Reusable Water Bottle: According to The Water Project, more than two million TONS of plastic water bottles are sitting in U.S. landfills. Not only can bottled water be wasteful, it can also be expensive! Save money and the planet when you travel by packing a petite reusable bottle from home, or investing in one like the Kleen Kanteen.
Use Refillable Toiletry Bottles: The original “Dopp kit” was developed in 1919 by famed leather goods designer Charles Doppelt. Though we still use similar cases to carry our toiletries today, we can cut down on waste by utilizing refillable toiletry bottles when you pack. For the true travel utilitarian, pick up a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Castille Soap. This powerful yet gentle (and organic!) multitasker replaces shampoo, face wash, body wash, shaving cream and even TOOTHPASTE while you travel!
AT THE HOTEL
Book an Eco-Rated Hotel: Best Western was the first mid-scale hotel chain to partner with ENERGY STAR® to help provide resources and tools to reduce energy consumption to their more than 4,000 hotels worldwide. You can make informed decisions when selecting your hotel by checking to see if the hotel has been green certified by an eco-rating program. Best Western certified green hotels are designated with a special icon on bestwestern.com.
Dictate Your Housekeeping Habits: According the Environmental Protection Agency, hotels make up more than 15 percent of the total water use in the commercial sector. You can help reduce that number by choosing to have the hotel housekeeping staff simply remake the bed instead of changing the sheets each night. You don’t change your sheets each night at home, why do you need them changed each night while traveling? Remember to hang up damp towels to dry instead of replacing them each day, too.
AROUND TOWN
Pick Public or Self Transportation: Whether you’re traveling for business or leisure, exploring your destination is always the highlight of a trip. If you’re in a big city, get around like the locals and use public transportation. You will cut down on both emissions and costs. And when in doubt; walk it out! Exploring a new destination on foot is a great way to discover hidden gems and neighborhoods while keeping your carbon footprint to a minimum.
Be a Nature Conservator: Remember your trip with photos and leave the environment as you found it. You can be a nature conservator by leaving plants and natural objects in place when you visit the mountains, parks and beaches. For the truly outdoorsy, try a field-guide app like Leafsnap to learn about the natural world in your new surroundings.
With a little planning and some thought, you can make smart environmental decisions part of all your travels.
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