Travel

• Ecofriendly travel involves finding small ways to reduce your impact on the world while still getting away, exploring and enjoying your vacation. Travelers can now search for green hotels that work to support green living through environmentally friendly business practices. Those renting a car can offset their carbon footprint further by opting for a hybrid. You can take public transportation such as trains whenever possible as well as incorporating a lot of local walking in your trip. For more information on environmentally friendly destinations, products and services for your vacation, visit the Green Travel Hub at RezHub (see Resources).
  
  

Celebrate

• Whether you're having a casual backyard barbecue or an elaborate holiday meal, there is a simple way to make your celebration more ecofriendly. Disposable plates, cups and napkins are popular for large gatherings because they minimize cleanup. When purchasing these pieces, opt for biodegradable items. These come in both paper and plastic. EarthShell makes disposable plates and bowls from renewable, environmentally friendly ingredients such as vegetable starch and recycled fiber. Eco-Products makes a variety of biodegradable plastic cups made from corn.
  
  

Eat

• Everyday we make choices about the kind of food culture that we want to support by deciding what to eat. Make green choices by taking a few simple steps toward a more environmentally friendly meal. Purchase local items whenever possible such as fruits and vegetables grown in your own county or beef and chicken from a nearby farm. When you cannot find items grown nearby, opt for those that are in season. Choose organic items when possible. Since organic foods are often more expensive, it might not be realistic to change your entire grocery list over to these types of foods. Compromise by avoiding premade, prepackaged foods and cooking meals from scratch. Buy in bulk to reduce the waste created by excess packaging.