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11 Top Tips for Greener Travel by Michelle Blackmore

Whilst most of us are environmentally aware, and concerned, these days, it’s unrealistic to think we simply won’t travel by air or car to get on holiday. A holiday is an important time of the year for all of us so foregoing a beach holiday in the Med for camping in the New Forest is unlikely.

The good news is you don’t have to be a die-hard environmentalist to help do your bit when travelling. Here are some useful, simple and easy tips to greener travel when thinking about your next holiday.

What’s more, many of them we can all easily implement whether we’re away or not!

1.Unplug Your Appliances
Did you know that certain household appliances can use up to 40 watts an hour, even when they are turned off? That’s a lot of wasted energy over a week or so. So, before you go, unplug selected appliances around the house, for example, your microwave, toaster, TV, radio, docking station, DVD etc.

2.Turn Down or Turn Off Your Thermostat
If it’s the summer, then turn off your water heaters and thermostats †it’s simply a waste. If you’re travelling in the winter months then turn the thermostat right down (don’t turn it off as you don’t want to risk frozen pipes!).

3.Cancel Your Newspapers
Don’t forget to cancel any newspaper or magazine deliveries †not only does it do a bit for the environment but also saves you money!

4.Pre-book Airport Parking
Instead of getting family or friends to drop you off and pick you up at the airport, which equates to 4 airport runs (2 trips there and 2 trips back) pre-book airport parking †this way you are only consuming fuel for 2 airport journeys and not 4! Just think, 4 journeys, at 50 miles each way is a total of 200 miles verses just 100 miles if you were to drive yourself. You’ll be surprised at quite how cheap airport parking is so it’s not going to cost you much more, if anything, when you think about the cost of petrol these days, especially for 4 journeys!

5.E-Tickets
If you can, some airlines and selected routes allow you to download your tickets yourself †this uses far less paper, power etc. than tickets that have been specially printed by the airline.

6.Offset Your Carbon Emissions
Many airlines, at the point of booking, give you the voluntary option of paying a little extra to offset the carbon emissions made by flying. The payment goes towards environmental projects across the world to help fund solar and wind powered initiatives for example. Alternatively, if your airline doesn’t offer this research how you can do this independently, like at www.NatureConservancy.org. There are many charitable organisations offering travellers carbon offset donation schemes.

7.Hotel Housekeeping
If you’re not holidaying in mud and dirt it might not be necessary for your hotel bed linens to be changed every day. If this is the case and you could use the same bed linen for several days then tell your Hotel’s Housekeeping dept. Same with the number of towels you use. By not having clean linen and towels every day actually goes a long way to conserve water, energy and harmful detergents into our waterways.

8.Reuse Plastic Utensils
If you’re given a plastic cup when you order a drink consider reusing it when it’s time for a refill. The same goes for plastic cutlery, take it back with you as it could come in handy if you go on a picnic!

9.Turn off the Lights
Most hotels nowadays control the electrics by the keycard, so when you aren’t in your room the electrics automatically go off. If this isn’t the case in your hotel be sure to turn all the lights off when you go out.

10.Buy Local
If you’re self-catering, then when you’re at the supermarket try and buy local produce. The best way to do this is find the local market. The food will be local, fresher and usually cheaper too so it’s a win, win for everyone!

11.Don’t buy Endangered Souvenirs
Just because it’s being sold, don’t assume it’s legal or environmental. Avoid buying any form of products made from endangered species. Avoid seashells, coral, ivory and animal skins etc. If tourists stop buying such goods then poachers and sellers alike will learn that there is simply no demand for this type of souvenirs.

For a greener alternative to your Gatwick airport parking book Gatwick green airport parking which ensures a tree is planted for every booking made. Tree planting is in association with carbon managers.com and the Trees 4 Business campaign.

Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/11-Top-Tips-for-Greener-Travel/943496

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