Travel has boomed this summer, with Hampton Roads getting its fair share of visitors.
As team leaders of the askHRgreen.org initiative, we encourage residents to make good choices to protect local landscapes and waterways. We hope visitors will do the same.
Here are a few tips to make sure any trip you take is easier on you and the environment.
Getting around
If you’re heading out of town, check your destination’s public transportation. Light rail, subways, buses and electric bike or scooter rentals will often get you where you want to go with fewer emissions than driving. Many locales even have options like ferry boats, water taxis and horse-drawn carriages. Such methods can be less stressful than navigating roads in an area you don’t know. Bonus points for walking and biking: pure green, with zero emissions.
When seeing the sights
We like to say “leave no trace” when traveling. That applies whether you are exploring the backcountry of the Appalachian Trail, a sunny beach or a bustling downtown market. Make sure any trash you create is secured and does not end up as litter. Loose paper — receipts, brochures, napkins — is easily carried away by a gust of wind. It’s more common than you think to inadvertently leave behind food wrappers or drink bottles. That’s why packing a reusable water bottle is another tip. Most restaurants will offer free ice water if you ask.
And a word about mask litter: When your mask is off, stow it in your satchel or tuck it snugly in your pocket. Not only are masks unsightly as litter, but they also can clog storm drains and sewage systems, pollute waterways, and entangle and harm wildlife.
Hold the plastic
Dining out and trying new foods is part of the traveling adventure. But ask your server to skip the straw and coffee stirrers; these are used for seconds or minutes but last for decades in the environment. Pack a reusable straw or go without. If you are toting your takeout back to your hotel, make sure you have packed reusable utensils and skip the restaurant’s disposables, which are plastic wrapped in plastic. If you pick up a beverage to go, opt for bottled instead of fountain drinks. Plastic bottles are generally accepted everywhere for recycling and are better than a fountain drink with a single-use plastic cup, straw and lid.
Traveling with pets
If any of your travel companions are four-legged, be prepared with supplies to scoop the poop. It isn’t good etiquette to leave pet waste behind, whether at home or on vacation. Pets can also enjoy a free water refill if you pack a travel bowl. Collapsible silicone pet bowls are slim and lightweight.
Give thought to your destination
Finally, one of the biggest factors in having a sustainable travel experience is deciding where to go. AAA travel editor Sherry Mims suggests evaluating your destination to see whether sensitive areas are protected and attractions are overcrowded. You may have heard about the long lines of people visiting national parks this summer. Instead of the expense and emissions involved in what could be a disappointing visit, consider a staycation.
An eco-friendly packing list
* Reusable water bottle, straw and cutlery
* Pet waste bags and a collapsible water bowl
* Cloth shopping totes
* Electronic tickets downloaded to your device
* Your own toiletries in reusable containers
Katie Cullipher and Rebekah Eastep are team leaders of the askHRgreen.org public awareness and education campaign for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.
