Tip of the week: Eco-friendly travel

Pack lightly. “Even 10 extra pounds per passenger” requires a plane to use extra fuel.

Plan your trip paperlessly. “Travel guides, maps, and even boarding passes” are now available for download. Lonely Planet’s “Pick & Mix Chapters” let readers buy only the information they need, and Rough Guides offers “iToors” for iPods.

Reuse linens. By telling hotel staff to skip changing the sheets and towels, you can help “save up to 30 gallons of water a day.”

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Don’t waste toiletries. Many hotels throw old soaps or shampoos away, “even if used just once.” Either pack your own in “reusable travel containers” or—if you do use the hotel’s products—take the leftovers home.

Think like a native. Enjoy the local cuisine, drink the water if it’s safe, and use public transit. You’ll find out what a place is really like.

Source: Real Simple Travel