Responsible Recreation

Businesses are responsive to their guests, customers and clients who voice concerns, so speak up. If you have compliments or comments regarding their company's environmental performance, write a note or speak directly to the general manager of the hotel, the operator of a resort or campground, the captain of the airplane, or the manager of your tour company.
Book your guestrooms, campsites or meeting rooms in places that are clearly interested in protecting our environment, and let management know that's why you've chosen their establishment.
Encourage the places you visit to reduce waste and to implement water- and energy-saving measures.
Use reusable bags, storage containers and towels.
Rent equipment, avoid disposables, and pack waste-free picnics by bringing reusables and recyclables home with you.
Buy fruits and vegetables without packaging.
Purchase electronic tickets for air travel whenever possible. Gas boats on land instead of in the water to reduce pollution in lakes and rivers. Upgrade to the most efficient boat motor. A 4-stroke engine is quieter, 40 times cleaner, and 2 to 4 times more fuel-efficient than a 2-stroke engine.
Keep campfire ash far from lakeshores to protect water quality.

Popular Parks

For outdoor recreation, state and national parks are a natural choice. Americans will make an estimated 291 million visits to National Parks in 2000 - nearly one visit for every U.S. citizen. Learn more about the National Park system by visiting www.nps.gov

Feed Yourself (not the trash)

Food and packaging waste accounts for as much as half of what is thrown away in a day, especially when you are far from home. Yet there are some easy ways for you to reduce how much food and packaging you throw away.

Reduce fast food waste and excess packaging in carryout food. "No thanks, I don't need a bag," may draw a curious look, but sometimes you have to speak up for what you don't want. Carry your own reusable mug to avoid disposable cups. Pack a cooler of food bought in bulk or deli-style (which are often "least-packaged" options) such as meats, cheeses and cookies. Bring along reusable plates and flatware. Use lightweight plastic plates instead of paper plates, because they can be washed and used several times over.
Avoid room service to reduce the use of disposable items. Ask for smaller portions when ordering food where portions are bigger than you can eat. Did you grab too many packages of ketchup or mustard? They won't spoil, so save them for next time you have a meal on the go. Same goes for napkins and other conveniences. Make sure to promptly refrigerate leftovers you bring home so they don't end up as waste. If the nearest trash bin is filled, don't toss your waste beside the can - that's just like littering. Hold onto it until you can dispose of it properly.

Transportation Tips

Choose to walk, bike, or cross-country ski instead using motorized forms of recreation. Enjoy walking tours. Walk where sensible and safe. Use public transportation. Carpool with friends or family to reduce miles traveled in your vehicle. Use the hotel van instead of renting a car. Share taxis. You create less pollution, plus you leave the driving to others. If you are driving, turn your motor off when idling. Encourage tour bus drivers to do the same when your group stops for a while.

Try an environmental rental. Try out alternative-fueled vehicles on your vacation If you do need to rent a car when you're away from home, perhaps you can get one that creates less pollution. Alternative-fueled vehicles minimize air pollution, are less noisy, and are very fuel-efficient. AFVs include new models, as well as existing vehicles that are converted to use a new fuel source like natural gas or batteries.

Travelers can generate a lot of waste and pollution, even with the best intentions. But it isn't hard to make a few changes that can help us avoid a lot of trash and otherwise green up our time away from home.

3 Key Questions to ask yourself when traveling

How can travelers safeguard the environment?

Create less trash, and what you do create carry home when possible. Save water and detergent by letting hoteliers know that your sheets and towels don't need to be washed daily.
How can I be sure the travel company is really socially and environmentally responsible?

Ask what actions the company is taking to protect the environment and support the communities visited. Are they using local guides and community-based accommodations and restaurants? Do they donate money to environmental and community projects? Are they helping local economies? Do they have an environmental policy encompassing conservation, waste-reduction and other aspects?
How should I pack with eco-travel in mind?

Carry your own dishware set. Be sure it includes a cloth napkin, plastic plate/bowl, silverware set, chopsticks and a cup, especially on airplanes where tons of cups are used once and thrown away. Pack reusable bags and containers for shopping and storing lefovers from restaurants. Leave as many unnecessary items as possible at home, such as energy-using hairdryers. Unwrap things before you pack and leave the packaging behind, recycling as much of it as you can. Carry environmentally friendly, bio-degradable products when possible.

For More Information:

Tread Lightly! is a nonprofit organization offering a variety of tools to help arm recreationists and the industries that serve them with essential outdoor ethics. Our mission is to proactively protect recreation access and opportunities in the outdoors through education and stewardship initiatives.