Sustaining Your Spring Break

In a week, a lot of us will be heading to the coasts or to slopes outside of the flat Iowa terrain we know and love.

While it’ll be quite easy to leave school and the daily work grind behind us as we reach our destinations, don’t forget to have a sustainable spring break.

Whether you’ll be staying at Motel 6 or the Marriott, keep in mind what kind of foot print you’re leaving, and do a mental check list every time you leave the room:

• Shut the lights off – there’s no need to consume energy if you’re not there to enjoy it.

• Dial it down – turn down or turn off your AC while out and about. If you’re headed to a colder climate, drop the thermostat a few degrees while you’re not around.

• A twist on transportation – research to see if you can rent a bike to sight see. Or, check on local transportation options. A lot of hotels offer a free shuttle service, and bigger cities boast very efficient public transportation options.

There are green things you can do while at your hotel as well. Avoid the towel two-a-day by reusing your towels. This helps the hotel be more efficient and conserve more energy.

Inquire about recycling. The front desk should be able to tell you what options there are for recycling. Take this a step further and bring a reusable water bottle or coffee mug with you. You’ll consume less plastic and save more money by going the reusable route. 

Let spring break be a time of relaxation and rejuvenation to carry you through the rest of the semester, but don't skip a beat on living sustainably with your spring break footprint.