Green Trips
Whether you’re traveling in Iowa or beyond, consider the following ways you can save energy and minimize waste.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Before you go…
- Use electronic, not paper, tickets when booking transportation or events. Electronic tickets generate less waste and cost less to replace.
- Ensure that your vehicle is “road-ready” by properly tuning your engine and properly inflating your tires to help save gas and money.
- Contact your newspaper publisher to ask if you can stop your subscription while you’re away, or if it’s possible to donate the newspapers to schools or other organizations.
- Ask about alternative fuel vehicles when renting a car.
While on the road…
- Pack drinks, sandwiches, and snacks in reusable thermoses and containers.
- If you dine at carry-out restaurants, take only the condiments, napkins, and utensils you need.
- If you are at a visitors’ center, take only the brochures you need and recycle the ones you don’t keep.
- Don’t litter — carry your trash or recyclables with you until you find an appropriate waste or recycling container.
When you get there…
- Use the hotel's electronic checkout program to reduce paper waste.
- Let the hotel know it's not necessary to change your sheets and towels every day.
- Leave unopened shampoo, soap, and other complimentary items at the hotel; take partially used items with you when you leave.
- Turn off lights and heating when you leave for long periods of time.
- Walk, use the hotel's transportation or share a taxi with another hotel guest when traveling to a well-known destination.
- Make purchases from restaurants and stores selling locally grown and made products.
http://www.epa.gov/rcc/2006news/12-travel.htm
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