Tis the season for summer travel and while you are out exploring this great big wonderful world, don’t forget to take care of it as well. What we pack can be just as important to our planet as where we visit and what we do once we get there.
Here are 4 tips that will help you stay true to your green living self as you pack your bags and head out of town:
Pack Light
The more weight our cars and planes carry, the more fuel they use. Do your part in keeping emissions low by packing as light as you can. Pick neutral pieces of clothing that can be mixed-and-matched with each other (super fashionable, eco-friendly choices can be found at Kaight in Brooklyn) and look for items that can be used for more than one purpose. “For example, bring sandals that you can hike in, use on the beach, and wear in the shower,” says ResponsibleTravelReport.com. “Bring convertible pants that can be used as trousers or shorts.”
Invest in Reusable Items
In addition to purchasing reusable bottles for toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner and soap (The Container Store has great options), we also suggest investing in reusable snack and sandwich bags like these from ReUseIt.com. They are great for keeping snacks fresh while on the road (or in the air), carrying messy items to and from the beach (think sunblock) and can also be used as a way to save on eating-out costs once you get to your destination. “If your destination hotel has a nearby grocer, pack sandwiches for a picnic at a local park,” suggests YouMustBeTrippin.com.
Eliminate Paper
“When possible, reduce paper weight by downloading books, articles, maps., on an electronic device and leaving the hard copies behind,” suggests ResponsibleTravelReport.com. In addition to keeping your luggage light, you will be less likely to lose the info you need. Can’t find the guidebook you need online? “If you only need a few pages, tear out those pages (or make copies). If you make notes on those pages as you travel, you’ll have a handy mini-journal.”
Re-Charge Your Batteries
A tip from the World Wildlife Federation: “Go for rechargeable gadgets, which have less environmental impact than ones that require disposable batteries.” Yes, you will need to pack a charger, but it will still be lighter (and more cost effective) than the packs of extra batteries you will need. Consider purchasing solar chargers for batteries and other electronics (several now include USB ports) like these from REI.
Happy Travels!
Talk to us: Where are you going this summer? We’d love to hear about your adventures or see your photos—share them with us on Facebook and Twitter!
image courtesy of flickr CC/Patrick Marione