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Reduce paper waste by suspending your newspaper delivery while you're away, printing electronic tickets, and recycling complimentary newspapers. Take brochures or maps only if necessary and return used brochures to the hotel for re-use.
Conserve water by limiting your shower or bathing time and participating in hotel linen programs by asking the hotel to not to wash and change your towels and linens every day. (Helpful hint: bring safety pins and colored beads with you and attach a different color bead to each towel to keep track of which towel belongs to which guest.)
Avoid using take-out containers and Styrofoam products. Bring your own re-usable containers and water bottles, laundry bags, and reuse the cups in the hotel bathroom.
Before leaving for vacation, unplug all appliances, turn down your water heater and turn off AC/heat. When at your hotel, turn off all lights and electronics before leaving the room. Bring a nightlight instead of leaving a bathroom light on all night, and turn off exercise equipment, saunas, whirlpools, Jacuzzis, TVs, and lights when you're through.
Reduce food waste by taking/eating only what you need. Bring re-sealable plastic bags or containers to save half-eaten treats or package leftovers. Try to eat sustainable foods and dine at restaurants that use local and organic ingredients whenever possible.
Keep bar soap wrappers to wrap used bars of soap for later use. Leave unopened bottles of bathroom products in the guestroom instead of taking them with you.
Conserve gas by using public transportation, walking, or bicycling whenever possible. Use the hotel shuttle service instead of renting a car. If going on a road trip, make sure your car is tuned and your tires are properly inflated to ensure best gas mileage.
Let hotel management know that you'd like to conserve and ask them to help your efforts. Patronize hotels, airlines, tour operators who support "greening" programs.
Avoid endangered species products if purchasing souvenirs. Do not take "souvenirs" from nature or an unauthorized location. Take photographs of natural areas, historic locations, or hotels. Use a digital camera instead of a disposable camera. If using film, buy rolls with 36 shots, rather than 12 or 24.
Leave only footprints, take out everything you brought with you. No litter. No graffiti. Pick up litter, especially at tourist areas… your good deed could be replicated.
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