Traveling Ecologically

Whether you are planning a weekend get away or a vacation overseas, you can include some simple acts of kindness to the earth in your travels.

Buy and carry with you a small set of utensils. You can even take one of each from you kitchen (fork, spoon, and butter knife) and wrap it in a cloth napkin and tie it with a ribbon. Sometimes when eating on the go, you might need to use some utensils to enjoy your meal. But instead of reaching for the plastic spoon or knife that will end up in the trash, you can use and reuse your own utensils. Then use the napkins to dab at food crumbs and sauces. Wash and reuse when you get a chance.

Also carry with you or place in your car, a travel mug. You can use this fill up on coffee from a gas station for a long drive or get a latte from a cute café while exploring a new city. When sight seeing, a to go cup is the bets way to enjoy your surroundings and your drink. But the waste from all the paper and Styrofoam cups just end up filling our landfills. Bringing your own cup often gets you discounts on drinks and refills and provides and easy way to drink and be on the go.

For those of you who always have leftovers at big meals, carry along a small Tupperware container when eating out. This is especially handy for those big dinners that leave you feeling almost ill from trying to finish the hug portions. Using your own container can save paper, plastic, and Styrofoam from being used and then trashed. Most motels have microwaves that you can used to reheat and snack on your leftover later.

These simple but thoughtful acts will change how much waste ends up in our landfills and lighten your conscience as an eco-traveler. Happy trucking.