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Green Goes on Vacation
Posted on May 01, 2008 - 09:21 AM
By: Rita McConnell
What does vacationing mean for those out there with a green conscience?
Unfortunately for travel lovers, the ultimate in green vacations may simply be to stay home this year. Little to no travel is the ultimate in carbon natural. But, if wanderlust has the best of you and your family, there are more and more ways every day to lessen your impact along the road.
The most obvious and talked about of course is the carbon offset, where travelers pay a certain amount to an organization that “offsets” the carbon emissions generated from vacation/business travel by investing it in green ventures, like wind farms, tree planting etc. (See other posts on Neutral Existence on offsetting travel.) Should you choose to offset, do your homework. There has been some controversy over the true ecological value of some of the projects benefiting from offset credits, and in some corners fraud has been reported. Don’t let you good intentions get high-jacked by someone who sees only a different sort of green.
That said, here are some other ideas and options to get you started planning a more neutral vacation.
Creature comforts
Travelers used to a certain level of luxury can breathe easy – many major hotel chains have made major commitments to greening their operations and properties, including Hilton and Marriott. Even discount chains like Best Western, Comfort Inn, Days Inn, Holiday Inn and Travelodge have been busy greening their hotels. Check out www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com to find a green hotel in almost any major city or resort around the world.
The site offers detailed information on how it ranks hotels, and what environmental programs they have in place. For instance, Alexander’s Inn in Santa Fe, New Mexico uses non-toxic fertilizers in its landscaping, and powers its property with wind. Disney’s Boardwalk Resort in Orlando has implemented a procurement system that requires amenities, fixtures, supplies, etc, are environmentally friendly. The Rain Forest Inn in Puerto Rico was built with recycled timbers.
Love the great outdoors? Enjoy Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Colorado – 5,000 acres of Wild West living to explore and appreciate. Open all year, Devil’s Thumb uses geothermal heat to power its buildings and cabins from the inner power of the earth. For an economically and environmentally friendly option, consider checking in with your state’s parks department. Many offer low-cost, bring-your-own-amenities cabins in maintained park areas, where you can learn more about regional wildlife, flora and fauna. Think of it as the vacation equivalent of buying locally grown foods.
Want to explore American History? Hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts listed on the National Register of Historic Places are a great way to green up your vacation – after all, many of these exquisite properties were saved from the wrecking ball by someone or some group with the ultimate sense of “reuse and recycle.” Consider the Montclair Bed and Breakfast in Virginia, which engages in programs to save energy, reduce waste, and conserve water, or the Lenox Hotel in Boston’s Back Bay, one of the first offset 100 percent of its electricity use.
There’s even hope in Sin City. The MGM Mirage’s City Center in Las Vegas, is said to be one of if not the biggest green building project in the country right now. It will recycle more than 80 percent of its construction waste, and – in a city not always known for easy walking to other attractions – is building a walkway to the neighboring Bellagio.
Waste and energy management on the road
Toiletries have become a travel nightmare, considering flight regulations and the like. If you’re traveling for pleasure, cut down on waste by packing full-size health and beauty products in your checked luggage, instead of using hotel-supplied items. Make sure to pack them well to prevent leakage. If you’re embarking on a road trip, taking your own shampoos, conditioners and soaps is a must.
Avoid the in-room coffee maker – it’s actually more eco-friendly to grab some joe at a café or coffee shop. (Extra points – get the Fair Trade blend…) Buying coffee cuts back on electricity use in your room, and reduces the waste from all the individually wrapped and sealed coffee, filters and utensils.
Most hotels and lodges now have in-house recycling bins, and some are now offering special in-room recycling bins. Use which ever is available to recycle plastic beverage bottles and other items you’d recycle at home. If you can’t find a good method, keep a bag in your vehicle (if you’re driving) and add items you can recycle upon your return home.
Some hotels are investing in major energy saving devices – some you won’t even have to think about. The Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh has installed a lighting system that turns the lights off for you after your leave the room. It reads your key card to know when you’re not in the room, and automatically turns some lighting on for you when you return. Carry a small night light in your luggage if you need some level of in room lighting during the night.
It should go without saying, but it seems that even in this day and age, we need to hear it. DON’T LITTER. Make sure to place all trash in provided receptacles as you sightsee and visit. If none is provided, hang onto garbage until you can find one. Put recyclables in the proper place as well. Nothing ruins scenery and mars the environment like litter – ask any of the gazillion maintenance workers at Walt Disney World. People today have a strange tendency to equate “big/corporate” with un-environmental, but one of the most consistent compliments about the House of Mouse over its decades of regaling visitors is that it’s virtually litter-free. Also, teach children to put trash in its place, and make sure nothing is ever tossed from your car windows.
Think
Finally, as with anything environmental, use your head. If you’re considering eco-travel, be sure to think about your trip as thoroughly as possible. Regardless of lodging, waste management and those types of amenities; is it really necessary for you to visit elephants and wildebeests in their natural habitat? Or is that kind of travel really more invasive than necessary for animals that are already severely threatened by human existence? Research the outfit offering your trip as closely as possible. Look at practices related to transportation, energy use, and fair trade with locals. Often, vacation packages labeled eco-something, sadly, are nothing of the kind.
If you decide to trim your carbon contributions by kicking back at home, look for ways to enjoy it and foster a love of nature among your children. Take nature walks. Visit local and regional environmental centers to learn about wildlife. Get a butterfly net and play catch and release with some of summers most beautiful visitors. Plant a native flower garden, nurture it and watch it grow. Fish. Bird watch. Grow your own vegetables and try out new recipes to show them off.
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