All those great recycling habits that your family has at home, school, or work can easily go to the wayside during the rush of summer holidays, road trips, and vacations. Here are some tips for recycling and for continuing with the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) even while you are on vacation – whether it is camping, a road trip, or a hotel stay.
You can’t take a Vacation from Recycling
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As you are doing your shopping and packing for your vacation, think about how you can reduce waste. For instance, bring refillable water bottles to avoid having to buy and recycle plastic water bottles. If you are grocery shopping, look for items that have little packaging to reduce what you will throw in the trash.
Tips For Recycling in your Car
Going on a road trip? Bring a small box or bag to collect recyclables in your car so that you are not tempted to throw them all in with the trash. Watch for the blue bins while you are on your trip (or wait until you get home) so you can recycle the box or bag of recyclables.
Research Recycling at your Destination
If you are camping somewhere, do they have recycling bins alongside the trash bins or should you bring your own bag for recyclables? You should be able to check with their website, campsite brochure, or staff person. Does the hotel that you are staying at have a recycling program? You can also find out where the recycling centers or drop-off locations are at your destination. Although some cities restrict the use of recycling centers to residents only, depending on your destination, you may be able to find a tourist-friendly drop off point. Other options could include Target (read about their recycling stations) and local Universities.
Recycling while on vacation can create some new challenges, but the extra effort is worth it. Plus if you are going on a family vacation, it is a good way to show the kids that recycling and caring for the environment is important all the time, and that you can’t take a vacation from recycling.
