Employees feel that the hotel sets an example that “greening” a hotel after building it is indeed possible — Habitat started in the mid-’90s and has been an innovative green force to be reckoned with ever since. From ladybugs as natural replacements for pesky pesticides and a smoke-free environment by choice, to a waste management and recycle program, many of the efforts are considered innovative. From the saved energy to the lush garden, it is the emphasis on recycling everything from energy to office supplies that really stands out. Let’s take a closer look.

All-around recycling

It is easy for a resort to claim that a recycling bin counts as a program. But, at Habitat Suites, the suites, the community guesthouse and the offices are all a part of the bigger picture. The Waste Minimization and Recycling program focuses on recycling, reusing and conserving in all three areas.

In the suites

The most outstanding features include everything from eliminating individual packaging to reusing plastic containers for trash. Some highlights include:

• 100% recycled bathroom and facial tissue and paper towels
• Suite bathrooms use dispensers for personal care products to eliminate small, individual packaging.
• Housekeeping collects recycling from each suite’s recycling container; guests need not separate types of recyclables to participate in this program.
• Habitat Suites donates slightly used or soiled furnishings to nonprofit organizations rather than throwing them away.
• The hotel has trash audits to ensure maximum recycling and attention to minimal packaging, effectively reducing waste by 30%.
• Reuse of the same 5-gallon plastic containers for cleaning supplies. This saves 125,000 cubic yards of plastic annually.

In the guesthouse

You won’t find disposable tableware or fried foods; plastic and oil are not factors in this eco-friendly common space. Some cool facts in the name of sustainability follow:

• Eliminating individual packets of condiments, Styrofoam and plastic tableware
• Cloth napkins are displayed in the dining room, and when that doesn’t work, the default is 100% recycled paper towels.
• The hotel picks food vendors with minimal packaging and bulk selling options.
• When a mop gets dirty, housekeeping doesn’t throw it out; they thoroughly clean the mop.

In the administrative offices

Printing on two sides and sending emails — the solution sounds simple. Here are some more Habitat Suites staff practices that can be done at almost any office:

• Team members reduce the need for paper by communicating with each other through e-mail, whenever possible.
• Credit card processing and night audit work is paperless.
• Printing documents of two or more pages in length on two sides of each piece of paper
• Recycling paper, newspaper, cardboard, aluminum, metal, glass and plastics
• The waterless urinal saves approximately 50,000 gallons of water every year.

“Creating an environmentally sustainable future for all” is a phrase that Habitat Suites holds itself true to — and guests are encouraged to come to Austin and see the sustainability in the comfort of a big suite with a gorgeous garden full of flowers (without the chemicals). Talk about a breath of fresh air!

But, beyond the commute, environmental conservation is big enough to cause worry about the loss of popularity in the Salt Lake City line — a single light rail vehicle removes 60 to 125 cars from the road, according to LightRailNow.org. Breaking down the different eco-friendly benefits, every minute detail is mentioned, save the fact that seats are recycled (by reuse!). So, beyond all of the smoke and mirrors, here are some simple pros and cons for proving light rail transit.

Pros

4th Avenue in Tucson has been serviced by trolley cars for years. Is light rail now a better solution? Image courtesy of LighRailNow.org.

Less traffic and wasted gas/energy: Light rail is much more fuel efficient than all of the cars that would be on the freeway. In a single hour, a freeway lane caries from 1,500 to 1,800 cars — and on average less than 2,200 people. A single light rail track can carry from 5,000-14,000 people per hour, saving two to seven freeway lanes of space and pollution.

Reduced pollution: Electrified light rail does not pollute visually (no need to fear the bus stop trashcan!), because there simply aren’t as many stops and the rail has better waste disposal options, according to LightRailNow.org’s findings. Furthermore, according to those findings, this is a huge relief to home property values near those stations versus a traditional bus line.

The big con

Cost: Construction, construction, construction! It’s all about money for cities that are struggling to pay for a new line, such as the $182-million light rail route considered in Tucson, AZ. When looking across the board at other cities, many hit just about that mark. Seattle, WA, for instance, undertook a $179-million price tag per mile for its light rail. According to a recent article in The Arizona Reporter, a route connecting downtown Tucson with the University of Arizona (totaling less than 5 miles) will cause a budget nightmare for Tucson that is expected to last into 2030. Though the city received a TIGER grant for $63 million and was already greenlighted for the Regional Transportation Authority tax and other federal grants, it is still struggling.

Still, supporters say that the light rail line is worth it not only from a transportation aspect, but also for the environmental benefits, while others question its commercial benefits. While cost will always be a factor, pollution and carbon emissions will be, too. It is likely to be a debate for quite some time. Luckily, the choice to ride right now or not is yours.

If you live in an urban area or are friends with someone who lives in an urban area, chances are you’ve heard how awesome Zipcar is. But, in case you don’t know, I’m here to tell you: Zipcar is pretty awesome.

Zipcars are available in more than 50 cities and 100 college campuses.

In a nutshell, Zipcar is a car-sharing service. You sign up online for a yearly subscription, and then you’re free to rent cars by the hour or day, either weeks or minutes in advance. It’s convenient and economical — the cars are parked in tons of locations in many major cities, and subscribers don’t pay for gas, insurance or parking. It’s also really hip — you can unlock a Mini Cooper with your iPhone. Yes, please!

But, the most appealing thing about Zipcar for a lot of people is that it’s an environmentally friendly way to get around during those times when mass transit isn’t an option. Let’s say you rely on public transportation to get around most of the time, but you buy furniture off Craigslist a few times a month, or you have a job that requires you to haul heavy garment bags across town every so often, or you’re a parent who has to schlep her kids to tennis matches on the weekends — you could almost justify having your own car, but at what cost to the environment? If you own your own car, you’re likely to drive it even when you don’t really need to, adding significant carbon dioxide emissions in the air.

According to Zipcar, each car in its fleet takes 15 to 20 personally owned vehicles off the road, and each of its members saves 219 gallons of gas per year by joining the service rather than owning a car. Car sharing is also a growing trend, according to the company, with upwards of 10% of the U.S. population expected to eventually adopt car sharing as their primary mode of transportation.

I’m proud to call myself part of that 10%. Zipcar has saved me from carrying a room’s worth of IKEA furniture on the subway countless times, so I try to return the favor by recruiting other people to join as often as I can.

So, what is the alternative? Take a bike across the country. From California down to Texas and up to Maine, the country is full of beauty that is better enjoyed on two wheels. Here’s a rundown of the top 10 trails, going from north to south and west to east. For more trails, visit trails.com.

1. Black Diamond, WA (34.3 miles southeast of Seattle). Black Diamond Coal Mine Path. A quest for a coal mine tour leads to a windy trip around the mountain at the south end of Lake Sawyer, Frog Lake and Ravensdale Creek. Going through both forest and clear paths, the ride is full of picturesque scenery. A ride for wide-open spaces and sightseeing that has more than beauty — it has a story as well.
2. Sacramento, CA. American River Bike Path. Ready for a 32-mile (one-way!) ride along the American River and almost completely away from the sight of cars? This trail isn’t for the faint of heart; it goes all the way from downtown Sacramento to Folsom Dam. Fun tourist sidenote: The trail’s other alias is Jedediah Smith National Recreation Trail.
3. Telluride, CO (330 miles southwest of Denver). Telluride to Moab Hut to Hut Path. As long as peaks and valleys and over 100 miles of biking don’t make a rider steer clear, the strong of heart and health will enjoy spectacular views. From the peaks of the 14,000-foot San Juans, to the 100-mile-long Uncompahgre Plateau, to the canyons of Dolores River Valley, it is hard to name all of the changes in climates, sights and beauty that surround the path, which also includes desert to a backdrop of the mountains above.
4. Bismarck, ND. The Lewis and Clark Trail. If the scenery doesn’t leave visitors breathless, the people will. According to Cambridge University, North Dakota is officially the friendliest of the 50 states. Forging new trails during a short visit, riders will follow in the footsteps of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who passed through this area 200 years ago. The path celebrates that small but magnificently beautiful part of their journey. Celebrating one segment of the trip filled with historic sites, parks, museums, restaurants, breweries and more, the attractions for many types of travelers makes the trail worth exploring.
5. Bottineau, ND (190 miles north of Bismarck). Turtle Mountain State Forest Mountain Bike Trails. A bit off the beaten path, Turtle Mountain is made for anything but the slow and steady bike rider who might prefer not to have to look at the trail. An older path, it is comprised of old double-tracks, snowmobile and cross-country ski trails. Also, it forks off several times. But, if the rider stays on course, the spectacular views just below the Canadian border are said to be worth any trouble. Hey, paradise can’t be perfect, but it sure can be worth the inevitable backfires from Mother Nature, or so riders say.
6. Flower Mound, TX (25.1 miles northwest of Dallas). Northshore Trail. Known as the Lake Grapevine trail to some locals and as the Mecca of bike trails to others, it seems that the only two agreements riders have is that the sand in the eastern area can get you stuck, and that this is the place to go in north Texas for breathtaking views of everything that nature has to offer. Now that’s a trail to pick up.
7. Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee Lakefront Trails. Known by some as the Oak Leaf Trail, this path is actually made up of several paths that go through the city, one of which goes by Lake Michigan. So, what makes these trails of note? The rich history behind the simple paths. With the best parking available at the Milwaukee Art Museum near Veterans Park, the Milwaukee Lakefront Trail was fittingly renamed Milwaukee 76 Trail for the centennial, but the name didn’t quite stick. However, the natural beauty of the trail does.
8. Mammoth Cave, KY (92 miles south of Louisville). Mammoth Cave Bike Trails. With 32 miles of trails that cross two ferries at one point, and cross gravel for 6 miles at another, this trail is for all skill levels and a strong sense of adventure. Pick a part, or the whole thing, and the rider will see how much they can take before they jump ship. It isn’t a trail for those afraid of uncertainty and adventure.
9. Mount Dora, FL (26.5 miles northwest of Orlando). Road Bike Rides. Sugar Loaf Mountain Challenge. Don’t be fooled by the name, this ride is no peace of cake. Florida, known for its flatlands, surprises with an elevation reaching 310 feet. From atop that vantage point, reviewers rave about the about the panoramic view of Apopka and other small lakes in the area. Other notable wonders include citrus groves full of oranges and grapefruits. Oh yeah, and sprawling ranch houses are great on the eyes, too.
10. Woodbury, NY (34.2 miles east of New York City). Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail. The location of this trail is what sets it apart to Long Islanders and bike enthusiasts, or so it’s said. The hike length averages 8 miles each way, but there is no challenging one fact: It is a calm oasis in the middle of hectic chaos. It cuts through wooded protected wilderness in the middle of Long Island, which is a literal breath of fresh air.

While outdoor beauty abounds, there are other reasons to ride a bike. IBike.org decided to make a list of benefits, from serious to silly. From “reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” to “bike commuting is a license to dress weird and still feel smug,” it’s fun to see what positive impact bike-centric lifestyles can have. Ready for vacation, yet? Ride on!

When you choose to carpool, you are saving the environment from the harmful fumes generated from cars burning gasoline. Every car introduces harmful pollutants into the atmosphere such as carbon monoxide, ozone and nitrous oxides. These gases rise to the outermost portion of our sky into the ozone layer and slowly destroy the only protection our planet has. Each gallon of gas produces over 20 pounds of carbon dioxide.

According to www.greeniacs.com, more than $2,800 is spent a year on gasoline by the typical American household. This amount of money doesn’t include other expenses that are associated with using a car, such as insurance, upkeep and routine maintenance. Choosing to carpool saves you and everyone involved in your carpool a substantial amount of money.

Many people avoid carpooling because they don’t want to sacrifice their freedom of coming and going as they wish. Although carpooling will require a minor sacrifice, it can have incredible effects on the environment, your wallet and your community. Consider carpooling and talk with co-workers to organize an efficient system that will benefit everyone involved.

Many people think that if they plan an eco-friendly vacation they have to stay local in order to remain consistent in their conviction. While staying close to home is the best way to control the impact on the environment, there are plenty of ways to travel as far or near as you need or want and still be efficient. More and more tourist locations are creating green alternatives that make traveling more appealing.

The best way to get to your destination is by traveling via mass transit. If you take a bus or a train, you’ll save a ton of emissions from polluting the environment. According to Stephanie Corson at University of South Florida, “A car occupied by one person produces on average 2.06 grams/passenger mile (g/pm) of nitrogen oxides for work trips. A fully occupied transit bus, on the other hand, would produce 1.54 g/pm, while a fully occupied rail transit system would produce only 0.47 g/pm for the same distance. Similarly, the car occupied by one person would produce 15.06 g/pm of carbon monoxide and 2.09 g/pm of hydrocarbons. The bus would produce 3.05 g/pm and 0.2 g/pm of the same pollutants, respectively.”

The next best option is to carpool with other family members or friends to minimize the number of vehicles needed to make the trip. Choosing to fly should be the very last option because airplanes are horrible for the environment, but there’s nothing you can do if your vacation is in New Zealand. Some airlines, such as JetBlue, have begun to purchase carbon offsets to compensate for the pollution they are creating. Once you arrive at your destination, try to use mass transit. Whether it’s a bus system, rail or subway system, many major cities offer various mass transit options.

Research before you travel and look for places to stay that are energy efficient. There a plethora of vacation spots that have committed themselves to preserving the environment and offsetting their carbon imprint. Many of these properties give a portion of their proceeds to a nonprofit or purchase carbon offsets to make up for areas that are unavoidable. You may want to consider looking for a green travel agent that can find you the best rates for a trustworthy, conscientious vacationing spot. A few great places to start your search are: www.goodtravelcompany.com/home, www.ecofriendlytours.com and www.tripology.com/travel_agents_eco-friendly.

Take time to think through your travel plans and prepare ways to reduce and reuse. For example, purchase a stainless steel water bottle and refill it throughout your trip. This way you won’t have to keep purchasing overpriced water bottles that accumulate in landfills. When you leave your residence, unplug all appliances, turn your water off, place your thermostat at an energy-saving level and turn the temperature on your hot water heater to its lowest setting. Each of these small efforts add up in the end.

Wherever you stay, whether it’s a hotel, a house or a cabin, you have control over how much water and electricity you use. You can also opt out of using a different towel every day and having your sheets changed. By choosing to reuse your bed sheets and towel, you are saving water, time and money that would typically be used unnecessarily.

Planning your eco-friendly vacation should be easy, enjoyable and rewarding. By taking the above steps and applying them to your vacation plan, you can continue to promote a healthy and prosperous earth with very little effort and sacrifice. If you’re traveling with other people, talk to them and inspire them to participate with you in these green initiatives. In the end, simply sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of the open road, the earth and the diversity of the global community.

Camping

One of the greatest ways to enjoy your family and bond in new ways is to go camping. It doesn’t matter where you live in the world, there is always a camping ground or state park close by. You can find the closest camping ground to you by visiting www.gocampingamerica.com. When you choose to camp, you get away from the hustle and bustle of life and reconnect with nature. You’ll also be saving on carbon emissions by using virtually zero electricity and minimal water. Camping is a very inexpensive way to enjoy yourself close to home and make memories for years to come.

Bed and breakfast

If you want to steal away with someone you love, a great vacation close to home is a local bed and breakfast. Most bed and breakfasts are privately owned and provide you with a unique and personal experience. Bed and breakfasts are quaint, quiet and perfect for a romantic getaway. They tend to be less expensive than staying in a hotel and your money supports independent business. You can locate a nearby bed and breakfast at www.bedandbreakfast.com.

Find a city close by

Another great way to get away without going very far is to visit a neighboring city that you’re not too familiar with. Unless you live in the middle of nowhere, there is typically a city less than 50 miles from your residence that offers a variety of options to relax and recoup.

Choosing to stay close to home while vacationing is a great way to limit your impact on the planet. There are a plethora of options when it comes to vacationing nearby. The sky is the limit! All you need is a little creativity and determination to have the time of your life and be eco-friendly.

Rent-a-Green Box

It took more than 100 tries to get the design right, but Rent-a-Green Box finally did it. The custom Reco Dolly, with its easy-to-maneuver handle, has the right balance and support to hold various sizes of its stackable Recopack crates (a green alternative to cardboard boxes made from 100% recycled plastic trash mined from landfills).

All of Rent-a-Green Box’s products are made using recycled, post-consumer trash rescued from the landfill, and the Reco Dolly, manufactured from salvaged aluminum cans, is just one of its many exciting offerings.