Responsible travel starts at home, literally. Any savvy traveler can tell you that the journey starts long before you step out the door. Whether it be a weekend or an extended international hiatus, here are ten ways to start traveling green before you’re out the door.
1. Cut the paper trail
Paperless booking is no longer the way of the future, it is here now. When the International Air Transport Association switched to all paperless ticketing last year, (and their bookings comprise nearly 95% of international travel), they started saving an estimated 50,000 trees every year. Not only is e-ticketing saving resources, it can save you time and hassle as well at check-in.
2. Get disconnected
Before you head out, unplug ALL the appliances you can. All the things that power your home – televisions, blenders, tv’s, chargers, computers, toasters – are secretly sipping away at electricity. This “standby power” expenditure can really add up, both for your power bill and the environment.
3. Drop the plants off at the sitter
Instead of having a friend or relative drive over to your house to water your plants while you are gone, try finding a plant sitter who will allow you to bring the plants to their house instead. This will save fossil fuels and emissions for those plant-watering visits, and your plants are likely to receive better care that way, as your plant sitter will be less likely to over-water them.
4. Enter the digital age
Ditch bulky guidebooks and maps for digital downloads and podcasts to take on the road. Go Green Travel has a recommended list of paper-free guidebooks and our friends over at Transitions Abroad have picked their favorite travel podcasts.
5. Consider buying offsets
More and more people are budgeting in carbon offsets as a responsible way to reduce their environmental impact when traveling. You might also consider that direct flights, even though they may be a bit more expensive, always equal less total mileage and therefore less emissions.
6. Book wisely
With a plethora of sites like the Green Hotels Directory and Dine Green at your fingertips, a little time online can go a long way for finding sustainable restaurants, booking hotels with best practices and picking goods and services that benefit the community you’re visiting and keep your money local.
7. Go light
Packing the bare necessities is best for you and the planet. Trying packing a few days early, take a walk around your hood, then re-assessing what you have. I bet you’ll be able to find a few more cuts to your packing list.
8. Don’t forget the water bottle
I won’t step up on the soap box again but, seriously people, making a plan and preparing to treat your own drinking water is one of the simplest ways to prepare for a far greener trip. Need a reminder? Click here.
9. Plan to hoof it
Walking, biking and using public transport are all great ways to enjoy a local’s view of a destination while leaving a gentler tread. Before you go, plan for biking and walking routes, and download local bus and train schedules so you’ll be ready to hit the ground…strolling.
10. Grab your brain and go forth with purpose
Keys – check. Passport – check. But don’t forget your brain! So many travelers hang up their responsible sensibilities and leave their eco-friendly habits at home. Everything you’ve adopted in your daily life – recycling, turning off the lights, saving water – should apply just as equally when you are away. Treat the world with the care you give your home and you will find yourself at home in the world.
Front door photo by Industry is Virtue
Bikes and train photo by Thomas Hawk