As workers schedule vacation time before summer ends, they can take an eco-approach to their trips. The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a checklist of green tips and resources for travelers who can practice green lifestyles away from home. Here, Green & Clean breaks down eight helpful tips.

Preparation

• Just a few years ago, booking a flight involved paperwork to check-in, but as more airlines practice sustainable travel solutions, they offer electronic tickets (e-tickets). The tickets and information are stored in the airline computer system, eliminating paper waste and the hassle of searching for lost tickets.

• To prepare for a big trip, many travelers scramble to the local pharmacy to purchase sample- size travel items, but the EPA recommends filling reusable travel containers with shampoo, lotions and other personal necessities.

• With so much that goes into a suitcase, to better organize items in a sustainable way, the EPA suggests reusing plastic and paper shopping bags. Reuse plastic shopping bags to pack and separate items such as shoes and wet bathing suits and paper bags for souvenirs and snacks.

• Besides making sure all that appliances at home are unplugged, travelers can conserve energy while they’re away by adjusting air-conditioning and water heater thermostats.

On Location

• While some hotels and resorts are recognized for their commitment to green, consumers can also take steps to stay sustainable at their vacation destinations. To do this, the EPA recommends checking in with hotel housekeeping to ask about the linen and bedding policy. Some hotels leave a note so that guests can opt out of sheet and towel laundering — an option that can help save energy.

• Whether on vacation or a business trip, collecting brochures, papers and keepsakes can get out of hand, but combining all items into one shopping bag instead of collecting bags for every purchase along the way is the best sustainable option.

Green & Clean tip: To that end, companies like ECOBAGS, which produces organic cotton and other sustainable material gear, and other green apparel companies featured at the Green Festival can provide sustainable options for extra luggage.

• The same eco-rules of shutting off lights, turning off air-conditioning and TVs to reduce energy consumption at home apply to vacation resorts and hotels.

• While maps, brochures and papers can add up, the EPA suggests that travelers take only the essential information with them, which is a great way to recycle information for the next guest.

The EPA also provides a helpful list of green resources that travelers can consult when they’re on the go here.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•