Business travelers tend to be the environment’s worst nightmare. First, there’s all the miles we travel – and, unfortunately for us frequent flyers, air travel knocks auto and train travel out of the park in terms of eco-unfriendliness. We head to our hotels, which are nothing more than a water-guzzling, electricity-sucking powerhouse of wastefulness. Then there’s our constant usage of disposable plastic: airplane bottles, our plastic cutlery, our individually wrapped napkins…not to mention all the Styrofoam in our takeout.

With all that said, I’ll be the first to admit it’s a lot harder to go green while on the go. It’s not that travelers don’t care about the environment – it’s just that practicing an eco-friendly lifestyle on the road seems downright impossible.

Making your next trip greener isn’t altogether impossible, though. True, we can’t control our jet emissions, but there are some ways to lessen your environmental impact while on the go.

Before You Leave

  1. Turn off any Unnecessary Electronics – Look at your kitchen. Is your toaster plugged in? How about the microwave? What about the coffee maker? Electronic devices drain energy, even when not in use. “Plug-proof” your house before you leave and unplug any that aren’t absolutely necessary.
  2. Adjust your Heating or Cooling – Your house doesn’t need to be kept at 72 degrees if you’re not in it. Don’t forget to lower the water heater, too!
  3. Pause Newspaper Subscriptions for the Duration of Your Trip – Better yet, switch your subscription to an e-reader device like a Kindle and get your paper on the go (without the tree-killer guilt complex). As an added eco-benefit, non-backlit screens carry an incredibly long charge and rarely need to be plugged in.

While You’re Packing

  1. Bring a Water Bottle – Refill your bottle after use because you don’t need bottled water. Ignore it at the hotel. Ignore the complimentary bottles at your convention and don’t get any when you eat out. Fill up your water bottle at soda fountains, water fountains, or (dare we say it) the tap. Shuddering at the thought of tap water taste? Invest in a bottle with a built-in filter that reduces odor and that unpleasant “chlorine-y” taste.
  2. Consider a Trip to the Camp Store – Remember those mess kits you had when you were a girl scout? Well, they’re a lot cooler now, and they’re amazing for quick travel meals – without the use of wasteful paper plates or plastic cutlery.

While You’re There

  1. Walk – There’s no better way to see the town you’re visiting. No excuses, ladies because you can pack a change of shoes. That’s why we invented large handbags, right?
  2. Take Public Transportation – On the bright side, you won’t have to deal with renting a car or driving around an unfamiliar location.
  3. Eat Locally – When you eat a local apple, you’re saving that apple a long, gas-wasting car ride just to get to your stomach – and that apple will be fresher and more nutritious, too. Besides, it’s a fantastic way to explore the local dining culture.
  4. Pretend You’re the One Paying the Electric and Water Bills – Don’t take long showers. Don’t turn the air conditioning up to full blast. Turn the lights off when you leave. It’s all simple stuff that makes a big deal in the long run.

How Do You Go Green on the Road?

Got any eco-friendly travel tips to share? We’d love to hear them!