How to reduce your carbon footprint on a road trip
National Parks, vibrant cities, beaches, mountains, and everything in between—there’s nothing more quintessentially American than taking a long road trip to see the land. It can be with the family packed in tight, or, if you’re younger, a couple of your closest friends simply seeking adventure. For many of us, some of our most cherished memories are a result of these types of excursions.
But it comes at a cost, and not just a monetary one. Gone are the days of the guilt free road trip. We have worries about our carbon footprint, and doubts that this type of trip is sustainable. To be honest, there’s no such thing as a net zero road trip. But there are steps you can take to minimize the impact you have on the environment, helping ensure our beautiful lands will be accessible for generations to come.
Reduce waste by packing food
Running into the gas station for junk food or drinks and running through a drive through on the side of the highway is an almost ingrained part of how many people road trip. But there’s a more sustainable, and healthier, way to operate. Simply make packing snacks and meals part of your checklist before heading out the door.
Food packaging is a huge issue in this country, making up almost 45% of materials in U.S. landfills. This is especially important when it comes to water. Do everything you can to bring water bottles, and fill them up as necessary, rather than relying on single use plastic ones. A single plastic bottle takes 450 years to decompose, so the less we use, the more space they take up in landfills.
We can, and need to, do better than that. Pre-packaging food in plastic containers and the like will drastically reduce the amount of packing you’d otherwise go through.
There’s also the added bonus that, in doing so, you can consciously source the food in a more sustainable manner. Even if you’re adding on the miles your food travels by taking it with you, simply reducing the amount of time it’s shipped cross country in trucks can lower its carbon footprint.
Shop, and eat, local
On that note, once you do get to your destination(s), keep avoiding those chains or mass-produced goods. This reduces the transportation of goods, can reduce packaging waste, as well as supports produce grown locally.
One of the reasons we enjoy going to different places is the chance to experience new things. So do it! By supporting local cuisines you get a more authentic experience with the local culture (plus the added bonus of acting in a more environmentally conscious manner).
Interested in learning more about solar for your home?
Use public transportation when you can
Getting the full local flavor doesn’t just mean eating breakfast tacos in South Texas. It’s experiencing the city in the way many of the residents do, by traveling using various public transportation methods. So if one of your destinations is an urban area, use the tools at your disposal to get around.
Take the bus or subway. Walk around and take in the sights. Many places even have bike (or scooter) rental programs you can take advantage of to take in your new surroundings in a way that’s simply not doable looking out the car window. Many cities even have unique, sustainable transportation methods that are a draw all on their own.
Travel distances sustainably
Once you leave urban areas, and sometimes even when you’re in them, there’s not a great public transportation network to get around in the U.S. Especially when compared to an area such as Europe.
That’s not to say there aren’t options though, if you’re dedicated enough. It takes more time, and sometimes money, but if you have both then oftentimes you can get to most major destinations in the country by rail. Many passenger trains are switching to renewable energy sources and purchasing carbon offsets, but regardless of that, taking a train is 47% more energy efficient than driving a single car, and 36% more efficient than flying.
Sure, it may not be the same as a traditional road trip, but in many ways it gives you a chance to see the country in a way few others have. Another option if you want to stick to the road is doing so in an electric vehicle, check out our guide on how to do so. Plus, camping is the more environmentally friendly way to spend a night—just be sure to remember the golden rule and leave no trace behind.
Our desire to reduce humanity’s negative environmental impact rises right alongside our increased knowledge of doing so. Fortunately, it’s that knowledge that helps us live more sustainable lives. As with many things, simply being more cognizant of our actions during road trips is the biggest step we can take to ensuring they leave the least amount of environmental harm behind.