Cate_W

Whether you try to partake in eco-tourism, responsible travel, sustainable travel, or green living in general . . . I believe that small steps can make a difference. Personally, I'm never without a refillable water bottle.

What eco-habits are important to you when you're on the go? Do you focus on local products and services? Seek out eco-lodges?

Thanks for sharing your great green travel tips!

yk

Hi Cate,

No, I don't actively sort out eco-tourism when I travel. However, I do consider myself a "green" person at home, so I try my best in doing the same when I travel. Here are some things I do:

1) Always pack a reusable shopping bag with me when I travel (of course, in addition to the FODORS tote bag in my purse). This helps to minimize the number of plastic bags I accumulate on my trip.

2) I always have a refillable water bottle, and fill it with tap water (if it's safe) from the hotel room.

3) I try NOT to pick up attraction brochures when I visit an attraction. If we need a map or plan, I make sure that we only pick up one for my whole party, instead of each person taking his/her own. And if the map/plan is barely used at the end of my visit, I replace it back on the rack so it can be resued.

4) Many business hotels I stay at in the US has a recycling bin in the room, so if I do pick up brochures, when I'm done with them, I place them in the recycling bin.

5) I mostly walk or use public transport when I travel, instead of taking taxis.

6) There is one hotel I stayed at in San Francisco (Westin St Francis) where you have an option of declining maid service. We did, and I think that helps to conserve water because they didn't have to replace our towels and sheets daily.

7) Earlier this Spring, we were staying at an apt in Budapest. The apt building does not have recycling, but we noticed that a park nearby (~ 3 blocks away) has community recycling bins. So we saved our paper, glass, plastic, metal trash during our stay, and on our departure day, we just carried our recyclables to the park and dropped them off at the bins.

8) On trips, I prefer restaurants that use local products. Not only it's better for the environment, the food also taste better because it's so fresh.

9) At home when I'm printing out directions or confirmations etc, I print them out double-sided to minimize paper use.

As I said, I do most of these things at home anyway. Sometimes, doing these while traveling may be a bit "cumbersome" (eg, taking recyclables to a place 3 blocks away), but I do feel good about saving the planet, no matter how insignificant my action is.

Cate_W

Thanks yk - that's a ton of great ideas.

I've also posted this in another forum too:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...s-226358-2.cfm

Any one else have eco-friendly travel tips?

etlee

Julia Dimon has some good "Go Green" travel tips. Check 'em out here: http://www.bit.ly/9EgEsq


My favorite one is this one:

2. When possible, look for alternative forms of transportation (train, bus, car-pool, sailboat or piggy back should do the trick)

LSky

yk posted a great list and I agree that I would carry some recycling if I knew where to find the bin. Good for you yk, that you sought it out.

I "invested" in really good travel bottles at REI and reuse them for every trip. I don't buy travel size anything.

Declining maid service is easy and makes sense to me. I can hang up a towel and pick up after myself.

The "go green" list is very good.

We should remember that "going green" makes our wallets "greener" too.

Fashionista

I really struggle with the whirl wind that seems to make up so many people's itineraries. Why not travel to a place and, well, stay there?

Get to know its idiosyncrasies, characters and contradictions. Become a 'local' for a while. Walk - walking around a place helps you make friends with it. Buy local produce and just because you are away from home, don't forget to recycle.

etlee

Definitely agree.

Don't need to change the sheets at the hotel every night!

Lsky: I love this:
We should remember that "going green" makes our wallets "greener" too.