Just as our most well-intentioned dieting plans can be derailed when traveling, so too can our Going Green intentions. In the scramble to prepare for vacation, we can sometimes forget about the little things that add up.
But with a little planning, we can bring our eco-friendly selves along for the trip. And what better month to think about it than April, with Earth Day and Arbor Day to cheer us on?
Here are some tips to make your vacation a little greener:
Pack a water bottle. Most airports have water bottle filling stations located near restrooms, so you needn't worry about what to do after you're forced to dump out the bottle prior to heading through the security line.
Along those same lines, bring cloth napkins and reusable straws. They're easy to slip into your suitcase or purse and not only provide an alternative to plastic straws and paper napkins, but add a touch of class to any meal. You can also consider packing utensils.
Remember your reusable bags. They take up hardly any room in your luggage, and you'll feel good about bringing back souvenirs and the like in your handy-dandy reusable bag rather than a handful of plastic bags.
You can forego having the hotel sheets and towels changed daily, though you can still have your bed made up. And treat your hotel room like you would your house, remembering to turn lights off when you leave and adjusting the thermostat at night and during the day when you head out.
Eat local. Half the fun of visiting a new place is checking out what's popular with the locals — so why not extend that to restaurants that source food locally or shops that do the same? It'll make exploring even more fun.
Mix and match clothes. By now you've probably heard a lot about the Marie Kondo method, which challenges you to only keep what sparks joy. This works great with clothing and fits into a greener lifestyle because you become better at limiting items. And when traveling, you can do the same — choose tops and bottoms that are interchangeable and that you love. You don't need to stuff your luggage to bring enough clothes you love!
