Have Yourself An Eco-Friendly Road Trip

This photo was retrieved from Camp Davis' website.

In tribute to an upcoming road trip I am particularly excited about, (I am taking a three-day-cross-country drive to UM's Camp Davis in Jackson Hole, Wyoming to study geology for the next month) I've decided to write a post about being green while on the road. Sometimes when we go on long trips we cheat on our green morals - I'm the first to admit I've thrown out a plastic water bottle for convenience. Here are some tips to help you stay eco-friendly while on the road!

1. Bring reusable tote bags

This photo was retrieved here.

Plastic shmastic is right! We're always making stops while we're on the road, picking up snacks and drinks here and there. You ALWAYS bring your reusable tote bags when you go shopping at home ;), so don't slack off just because you're on the road. Also, tote bags can be super handy for storing the random items that end up laying around your car during a road trip - someone's left shoe, a soccer ball, or maybe some old maps.

This photo was retrieved here.

2. Say "No" 
More specifically, say "no" to fast food. You'll be doing Mama Earth a favor if you pack your own lunch. Also, if you avoid purchasing fast food, you reduce the amount of idling you do with your car, which reduces the amount of greenhouse gases you release into the atmosphere.

This photo was retrieved here.

Packing a lunch will also significantly reduce the waste you produce - use tupperware to pack yourself some sandwiches and you're looking at a zero waste lunch.






4. Bring your own coffee mug. 

This photo was retrieved here.

Heaven knows you need caffeine when you have 100 miles to go and the sun has already set. Be sure your cup is reusable. Starbucks has specific goals set in place to increase the amount of reusable cups they sell. Biggby  and Peet's Coffee also offer travel mugs. Au Bon Pain offers a free travel mug if you join their eclub. Caribou Coffee gives a 10% discount to anyone who uses a reusable mug. Tim Hortons is looking more at recycling regular cups than using reusable mugs. The reusable mug situation at Dunkin' Donuts, Gloria Jeans, McDonald's seems less prominent than others.  

5. Recycle at rest areas
This one's pretty straight-forward.

This photo was retrieved here.

6. Set your cruise control

This photo was retrieved here.

Staying on cruise control can help limit your gas usage by preventing sudden stops and changes in speed.






7. No Air Conditioning

This photo was retrieved here.

Ditch the AC and leave the windows open. Maybe you'll catch a pic of your dog doing this!





8. Bring card games,
board games, and other non-electronic entertainment systems. It will save energy, not to mention waste from batteries and excess packaging.

This photo was retrieved here.

9. Avoid excess weight
You don't want to be looking like this poor fellow. Also it will allow your car to have a more fuel-efficient trip. 

This photo was retrieved here.

10. Stay in an energy star hotel
There's a complete list of Energy Star hotels in America.

This photo was retrieved here.

Works Cited
Made Just, Right Team. "10 Steps to an Eco-Friendly Road Trip." Made Just Right by Earth Balance. N.p., 2 July 2013. Web. 11 June 2014.
Admin. "Keeping Waste to a Minimum: Seven Ways to Recycle on the Road."Greatwide. N.p., 6 Aug. 2012. Web. 11 June 2014.
"ENERGY STAR Labeled Buildings & Plants." Energy Star. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2014.
"Green Seal Hotels & Lodging Properties (listed Alphabetically by State)." Hotels and Lodging Properties. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2014.