Ways Travelers Can Honor Earth Day

With an increased focus on sustainability in the travel industry and beyond, it's becoming increasingly expected that businesses and people take the necessary steps to be environmentally conscious as they go about their daily lives and take in the splendor of nature. Before heading out on your next adventure, consider these tips, in honor of Earth Day.

REDUCE YOUR PLASTIC USAGE.

From pitching personal-size toiletries and bringing your own refillable water bottles, bags and coffee mugs, ditching single-use plastics should be a goal for every trip we take these days. If it's not an option for travelers to bring their own water bottles and find refill stations, consider offering an alternative water option that's still sustainable, like Boxed Water.

LEAVE NO TRACE.

When traveling, especially in nature, live by the mantra of "leave no trace" to ensure a natural environment stays as beautiful as it was before you got there. The National Park Service outlines their Leave No Trace Seven Principles to offer practical tips along with explaining why these steps are vital for protecting plants, animals, other people and even entire ecosystems.

INCORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY INTO YOUR ITINERARY.

Whether it means taking on a voluntourism project like planting trees among already beautiful scenery or choosing to dine at a local farm-to-table eatery in place of a quick-grab fast food joint, weaving sustainably-conscious activities into your group's itinerary is a great way to make a difference while still doing all the things you'd normally enjoy.

SKIP HOUSEKEEPING WHEN YOU CAN.

If your groups are staying in accommodations with housekeeping, consider encouraging skipping the daily service—if they can help it. Doing this will help conserve water and send less chemicals into the sewer system. Some hotels and establishments also reward travelers for doing this with hotel points and other perks like breakfast/restaurant credits.

WALK OR BIKE WHEN POSSIBLE.

If everyone in your group is able, consider walking shorter distances. Not only is this helpful for the environment, but it also gives group members a chance to chat and soak up their surroundings in a way that's not always possible while inside a vehicle. Not to mention the personal health benefits. Walking daily for just 30 minutes can increase cardiovascular fitness, boost muscle power and endurance, and more.

Click here for more ideas on how to prioritize sustainability and the environment.

Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.