Traveling can be a lot of fun. However, going far from home can get a bit rough. There are the crowded airports, the delayed flights, the bad food, and the time zones. But for those of us "going green," the additional concern of being environmentally conscious is an important factor in our travel plans.

I travel a lot myself, mostly by plane and generally I stay in hotels. As I have become more aware of things like water consumption, plastics, and waste, I have looked at my traveling in a different way… a greener point of view.

You and I may not want or be able to travel less, but there are a few little things that we can do that can help to reduce the resources that we use, even when we are away from home.

1) Towels and Linens – We don't all change our sheets or wash our hand towels every day at home. So why should we have clean towels and linens each day when you are away? Decrease water and energy consumption by not having housekeeping clean your room each day of your stay.

2) Water – Traveling often means a lot of meals out. Most restaurants will deliver to you a glass of water with your meal, and most of us don't drink it. Instead of wasting this water, ask that it isn't brought out, or use it to fill up your own refillable water bottle.

3) Paper, Books and Magazines – When we travel we tend to bring a book or two, and a few magazines to read, maybe a newspaper. And what becomes of all this extra paper? It is thrown out, at best recycled, at worst, it just hits the landfill. Why not share them? Save your books and magazines, and pass them along to friends or other travelers to read. Use your newspapers to wrap up fragile or leaky items in your luggage, or as scrap paper for your kids to draw on in the plane. Give these items a second or third life before they are thrown in the recycle bin.

4) Soaps, Shampoos, Lotions – Those little free shampoos and soaps the hotel give us is so convenient. But all that plastic! When possible bring your own toiletries to save a few bottles. But go ahead and use the soap, but bring it with you when you leave. It won't be used for another hotel guest, so you may as well take it home and use it up!

5) Turn Out The Lights – It is something we think about at home, but in a hotel, we often leave the lights or TV on without thinking. Remember to unplug your laptop, and hairdryer, and flip the switch before you walk out the door.

These are just a few of the simple ways we can travel green (er). Do the resource-saving things you have already adopted in your own homes, and look for opportunities to save a little more while on the road.

© Meghan Wier

www.meghanwier.com

Author: Confessions of an Introvert