5 Ways to Go Green on the Go
Much has been said and done about the need to go green and adopt eco-friendly measures in our daily lives, and most of us do what we can to reduce, recycle and reuse. But what happens when we go on vacation? Do our green habits take a hike too? For most people, eco-friendly measures are ok as long as they’re going about their daily lives – they sort their trash religiously, they make it a point to take the stairs or walk instead of using the elevator or taking their car, and they try their best to reduce their water and power usage. However, when they leave their home, they fail to adopt the same habits, maybe because it’s harder to do so when you’re not on familiar ground.
The next time you take a road trip with your family or by yourself, don’t assume that it’s impossible to go green when you’re on the go; instead, follow these simple rules:
- Plan your trip thoroughly: This helps you take the shortest routes and the ones with the least potholes and bumps, thus minimizing your fuel usage. You also save much more on gas when you know exactly how you’re going to reach your destination and ensure that there will be no backtracking or idly searching for routes.
- Get your car checked thoroughly: Before you leave, get your tire pressure checked and ensure that your gas tank is full so you don’t have to make detours for gas. Also, get your air filter change just before a scheduled road trip so you can get a decent mileage and save on your gas expenditure.
- Drive responsibly: Keeping to the speed limit is good not just because it keeps the cops off your back, but also because it is a good way to improve your car’s mileage and to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your engine. This saves not just the planet but also your bank balance in the long run.
- Ensure that your home is safe and shut down: Before you leave, check to see that all the doors and windows are locked and set to your alarm, that all electrical and electronic appliances are off and the plugs are pulled out from their sockets, shut down your computer and any gadget you’ve left behind at home, and ensure that the gas is turned off in the kitchen and that there are no lights or lanterns or candles burning. Also check your plumbing to minimize water wastage through leaky faucets and toilets. If you have lawn sprinklers set off to go automatically, check to see that they work properly according to the timer and that water does not run unchecked when you’re not around.
- Behave responsibly: I’ve seen many people who take great pains to keep their homes and surroundings clean, but when they’re on vacation, they don’t hesitate to litter and never pick up after themselves. Behave as you would at home – throw trash in trash cans, don’t leave lights and other electrical appliances on when you’re not using them, and remember to shut the faucets tightly and use water sparingly even when you’re in a hotel room.
Every small green effort counts towards helping our planet and raising people’s awareness about the need to change the way we live, so continue to adopt eco-friendly ways even when you’re away from home.