February 28, 2017
If it’s time for you to pack your suitcase and head out on a spring break travel vacation with your friends or family, make sure you keep the environment in mind with these seven eco spring break travel tips.
Eco car rentals, energy conservation, and eco hotel selection are easy. Here are seven eco-friendly spring break travel tips to help make this the best eco spring break vacation yet.
1. Rent an eco-friendly car Eco-friendly cars are almost every where so make your spring break travel earth friendly and fun. Car rental companies including Budget, Avis, Green Motion, and Hertz offer electric, hybrid, and fuel efficient at most locations.
2. Use public transportation or rent a bike. Don’t need a car for your trip? Even better. Use public transportation, bike, walk, take a shuttle instead. You can find time schedules and route information online from most local visitor center websites.
3. Bring along a reusable water bottle Or buy one when you get to your location. When you hit the beach or the bike, you can refill the bottle throughout your trip. It’s more economical and more eco friendly. Plastic water bottles fill landfills and wash up on ocean shores so do your part by not adding to the mess.
4. Wear UV-protectant clothing It is no secret that the chemicals in sunscreen are damaging the ocean environment including the coral reefs. It’s scary but 
every little bit helps. If you’re heading out on a beach vacation or even spending any time out in the sun, instead of using sunscreen, invest in UV-protectant clothing and head wear available from Coolibar, REI, or Athleta among others. It’s an investment in environmental protection that you’ll use over and over. Do yourself, the reefs, and the fish a favor by opting for this natural solution.
5. Turn off the lights and the air conditioning Before leaving for the day or even for a few hours turn off the air conditioning and the lights. Your room will cool down quickly upon your return and you’ll save energy and ultimately maybe even see hotel rates go down over time as operations costs are reduced. Some hotels, mostly outside the US, have key card slots that you place your key card in when you return to your room and this activates the power.
6. Pick an eco hotel Check out the hotel’s sustainability initiatives and see if it has any green certifications or eco options to consider. There are many ways to find sustainable hotels in most areas. One is Starwood Hotels’ Element featuring eco-friendly textiles, energy-reducing roofs, and Energy Star appliances in all guest rooms. If you happen to be traveling to Boston, Element Boston Seaport is a great choice. For luxury eco experience check the list at EcoLuxHotels. Marriott is another hotel chain committed to environmental responsibility. Like small bed and breakfast accommodations? Check out EcoBNB.
7. Pack a picnic of local foods Instead of spending all of your time restaurants, why not packing a picnic for the beach or a day hike. Even better, find out when the local farmer’s market is held and buy local to do so. You’ll get a fresh meal, support a local farmer, and save energy. Always be sure to carry out anything that you carried on to the beach or the trail and dispose of it properly.
If you are lucky enough to take a spring break travel vacation, make it eco-friendly with these simple spring break travel tips and do yourself and the earth a favor.
-JE Forbes
Photos: Eco News Network
