If you’ve been leading your family into a greener lifestyle over the past year, it stands to reason that you’d give your vacation an eco-friendly makeover, too.
People are becoming more and more environmentally conscious, so it’s no surprise that eco-friendly family vacations are becoming more and more popular.
Eco holidays are affordable and suit a wide range of tastes. By adjusting your schedule, making some big decisions, and thinking green, you can have a vacation that leaves less of a footprint on Mother Earth. Here are 7 quick tips for a more eco-friendly vacation:
1. Unplug. Traveling green starts before you leave home. Your home uses a lot of energy even when you’re not there because of appliances that are left plugged in. Before you head out on your trip, be sure to unplug all unnecessary appliances, like your TV, computer, and even your washer and dryer.
2. Set up your Furnace or AC. Turn off your heating and cooling system, if possible. If you live in an area where the pipes would freeze, or if you have pets that need temperature control while you’re gone, be sure to learn how to program your air conditioner and heater so they don’t run continuously while you’re gone. Set some of your lights on a timer for safety purposes. You will save money and you will also save energy.
3. Direct flight. If you are flying to your holiday destination, try to find a direct flight from your origin airport to your destination. Planes use a lot of fuel when they land and take off. By flying direct, you will save on the fuel that is distributed in the air. You are also voting with your dollars and encouraging the airline to have more direct flights.
4. Buy carbon offset credits. You can also opt for carbon offset credits to offset the fuel used on your flight. Ask your airline if they offer a carbon offset program. If not, you can always buy credits from a separate company. The company will use that money to finance renewable energy products or plant trees.
5. Consider all your travel options. Consider taking the train instead of a plane. Traveling by train can be a fun experience for the whole family. Not only will you use less fuel, but it will be a ride your kids will remember for years to come.
6. Rent a hybrid. When you arrive at your destination, rent a hybrid car to get from one place to another or take public transportation.
7. Stay in ecological hotels. When looking for a place to stay, ask about the hotel’s green policies. Many major chains are practicing recycling, using non-toxic cleaning products or replacing regular light bulbs with energy-saving ones. By asking questions, you are letting the hotel industry know that you care about these issues. You can find independent eco hotels by searching online. The Green Hotel Association has a list of green vacation spots.
Green vacations are easily within your reach if you do some simple research. You don’t have to visit the middle of the rainforest to be eco-friendly. You can get a green vacation simply by making better choices for your travel options.