Luxury Vacation Rentals Provide Green Travel Option
January 20, 2007. First recycling. Then energy efficient appliances. Now… green travel?
That's right. The travel industry has begun to look at ways to become more environmentally friendly.
The most recent news we've heard on this topic comes from the Bargain Vacation Club, whose "Green Pleasures" campaign donates money to an environmental cause every time you book a trip with them. Last week, Enterprise Rent-A-Car announced plans to rent hybrid automobiles at offices in California. And in December, Aspen Skiing Company was admitted into an environmentally friendly business coalition for its sustainable practices. That makes you want to ski Colorado now, doesn't it?
We've found luxury vacation rentals make being green easy. Here are some tips for the next time you stay in one:
1) Turn off the lights when you leave. Most electricity comes from coal power plants, which emit pollution. Every time you turn off the lights, the television and other electric devices, you're putting the lid on pollution.
2) Walk more often. Many luxury vacation rentals are located in close proximity to shops and restaurants. Bonus: Not only are you cutting fossil fuel consumption, but you're also burning off those dessert calories.
3) Respect the local environment. Most vacation destinations draw people for their natural beauty, so don't litter. Feeding wildlife can also inadvertently harm many animals.
4) Recycle if possible. Many luxury vacation rentals will offer recycling bins if the local municipality provides them. Recycling reduces landfill waste and conserves natural resources.
5) Bring a canvas shopping bag. This reduces the amount of plastic and paper shopping bags, which might not be recyclable everywhere. Canvas shopping bags can be fun souvenirs, too.
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