Thanksgiving travel forecast: Sustainable
It’s that time of year again.
A time to give thanks, eat turkey, watch football--and, for many Americans, to travel.
According to AAA, more than 55 million Americans will travel this Thanksgiving--the most since 2005.
While travelling in itself--whether in the car or in the air--unfortunately contributes to emissions that lead to pollution and climate change, for many Americans it’s unavoidable.
But if you do find yourself travelling this week there are things you can do to make your trip a little more sustainable. Here are just a few.
1. Share a ride
Heading to the same town as a friend or family members? Carpooling is one way to reduce the amount of emissions you’re contributing to. If you don’t know someone who can give you a ride, sites like Share Your Ride can help you coordinate with other travellers heading the same way. And, if you’re heading out Thanksgiving Eve to see old friends, that’s another great opportunity to carpool as well.
2. Stay hydrated, avoid the plastic
We know a thing or two about how bad single-use plastics are for the planet. Unfortunately, travel is one of the biggest contributors to single-use plastic. So, instead of heading into the airport newsstand to grab a bottle of water, bring your own refillable water bottle. It may seem like a little thing, but if 55 million people reduced their plastic consumption by one bottle this holiday week, imagine how big of an impact that could have!
3. Pack the snacks, reuse the bags
No trip is complete without plenty of tasty snacks to pass the time. But this is another common plastic pitfall when travelling. This year, be sure to pack your snacks in reusable bags (like ours!). And when you get to where you’re going, your reusable bags can also double for packing leftovers!
What are you doing to make this Thanksgiving a more sustainable holiday? Let us know via social media (@jillandjoeyru on Instagram) and be sure to use #JillandJoey.
We hope you have a safe, restful, and happy Thanksgiving!