Eco-Friendly Tips for the Solo Traveler: Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

As our world deals with environmental challenges, making conscientious decisions in our day-to-day lives has become not only responsible but necessary. Travelers from around the world are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and the travel industry has taken notice. Taking steps to significantly decrease environmental impact, transportation companies, hotels and even local businesses are doing everything they can to go green, but how can travelers make the most of sustainable options?  

Whether you’re traveling for business or looking to plan a wonderful weekend getaway, there are several ways you can design your trip to be environmentally friendly. Take a look at these AAA solo green travel tips that will help you build a clean climate-conscious trip today. 

Choosing a Sustainable Destination 

While you might be daydreaming about the latest top talked-about destination, these tourist hot spots can often have significant environmental consequences. Rather than larger cities and Instagram-famous locations, travelers looking to enjoy a greener experience would be better off choosing a more off-the-beaten-path destination. 

Many communities throughout the U.S. and internationally are focusing on sustainability and providing a more environmentally conscientious way of life, making them the perfect place to escape from the daily hustle and bustle. 

Green Destinations to Consider 

• Long Island’s North Fork: Numerous small and historic communities filled with thriving local businesses, exceptional family-owned restaurants, world-class wineries and beautiful beaches with locally run hotels. 
• Juneau, Alaska: A community that showcases the local indigenous culture and embraces the captivating landscape around them, this is a solo green traveler’s dream come true. 
• Woodstock, Vermont: One of the country’s prettiest towns, this stunning destination is filled with high-end hotels, local boutiques and charming eateries. Take things a step further by making this just one stop on your road trip through quintessential New England. 

Finding the Right Hotel 

The hotel industry is taking sustainability seriously and many hotels are involving themselves in green travel programs to both attract green guests and dramatically reduce their own carbon footprint. If you’re looking to spend some time in the sunny state of Florida, then you should consider the Caribe Royal Orlando. As part of the Florida Green Lodging Program, they are dedicated to providing their guests with the highest quality environmentally friendly accommodations possible. Or, if you’re looking to journey a bit further south, Hotel Xcaret in Mexico is known as one of the leaders of sustainable travel, generating most of its own energy from solar panels, wind turbines and hydroelectric power. 

No matter where in the world you decide to travel, finding eco-conscious accommodations is easier than ever before. Take a look at these tips to help you find a sustainable hotel in your area. 

How to Find Eco-Friendly Accommodations 

• Make the most of AAA’s Trip Canvas. Here you’ll find in-depth reviews and critiques of all recommended hotels in addition to suggestions of what to do, where to eat and entertainment opportunities in the local area. Planning an upcoming trip has never been easier. 
• Many hotels are highlighting their green innovations and sustainable policies on their websites. By doing some research ahead of time, you can easily guarantee you’re staying at a hotel you can trust. 
• What else are they doing? While many hotels are working to limit their energy consumption and water usage, there are many other ways hotels can reduce their carbon footprint in many other ways. Take a look at the hotel’s website to see if their restaurant has an on-site garden to source from, if they offer eco-friendly cleaning products, or whether guest rooms are provided with recycling bins. 

Sustainable Transportation 

When it comes to traveling, particularly over long distances, finding sustainable and reliable transportation can be a bit tricky. No matter where you are in the world, transportation methods are amongst the highest contributors to pollution and eventual environmental damage. However, more and more companies working in the transportation industry are making changes to dramatically reduce their carbon footprint. 

Airlines such as Alaska Airlines, for example, have been recognized for their commitment to sustainability and their investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuels. Hertz, the rental car company, is also dedicated to reducing their environmental impact, taking steps such as investing in larger numbers of hybrid and electric vehicles, changing their car washing practices and even choosing where they build their rental locations. 

Considerations for Green Travelers 

• Search for direct flights to reduce fuel consumption 
• Consider renting an eco-friendly vehicle during your vacation 
• Prioritize using public transportation where it’s available 
• For travelers visiting more urban areas, make walking your primary way of getting around or take advantage of rentable bicycles 

Pack Lighter and Smarter 

Packing lightly and efficiently is a great way to enjoy cleaner and greener travel. Not only will you be able to easily carry lighter bags with you, but you’ll also reduce how much effort cars, busses, or even trains need to use to move. Additionally, how you pack will dramatically influence how sustainable you are during your travels. 

Here are a few tips to help you enjoy an organized and sustainable vacation. 

Eco-Friendly Packing Ideas 

• Consider investing in luggage made from recycled and durable materials. The longer you can use your luggage, the longer it stays out of landfills. 
• Clothing and towels can be rolled rather than folded to significantly save on space 
• Bring eco-friendly products such as shampoo bars, toothpaste chips, shaving cream bars and deodorant bars with you rather than using hotel products which are typically made from single-use plastics. You also won’t have to worry about products leaking all over your clothes. 
• Bring a light, refillable water bottle rather than having to purchase water wherever you go. 

Leave Only Footprints, Take Only Memories 

If there’s one way to perfectly sum up sustainable travel, it’s the beloved saying, “take only photos, leave only footprints.” So many widely visited destinations have been ruined by tourists with little to no consideration for the local environment and wildlife. Simple considerations like throwing out your trash correctly, disposing of unwanted food properly and leaving the area as it was when you found it will go a long way to protecting the beauty of these natural landscapes. 

How to Minimize Your Environmental Impact 

• Bring with you or ask for biodegradable containers for your food and snacks 
• Throw away waste in proper disposal bins 
• Use a reusable bottle or trekking flask for water and beverages 
• Bring a reusable and washable hankie or napkin with you rather than paper products 
• Ask about local environmental clean-ups during your stay 

Enjoying your vacation and maintaining a sustainable lifestyle can seem difficult, but today’s environmentally conscientious world is making it easier than ever before. Keep these AAA travel tips in mind and experience solo green travel like never before. 

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