Eco-friendly travel tips

How second-home owners can reduce their footprint
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Pacaso
April 25, 2025
Patio terrace at dusk with a water view and an outdoor living space with a fire pit at 3688 Bayside Walk, San Diego, CA 92109. This image showcases the perfect setting for relaxation after a day of water sports in San Diego, CA.
Vacation properties offer all the comforts of home and the chance to live more sustainably while you travel, especially compared to hotels. Here are a few simple ways to reduce your environmental footprint while enjoying time spent in your home away from home.

Pack with purpose

Skip the single-use plastics and bring along reusable bags, storage containers, water bottles and refillable toiletries. Packing these pantry staples and essentials ahead of time helps you avoid overbuying and cuts down on waste. A little prep goes a long way.

Recycle with intention

Recycling at your second home is much easier than at a hotel. Take a moment to learn the local guidelines so you can recycle responsibly. If available, green waste programs make composting easy and low maintenance.

Conserve water and electricity

Be mindful of your water and energy usage. Take quick showers over baths, turn off lights and fans when not in use and keep the thermostat at efficient temperature. Small changes make a big difference.

Choose greener transport options

During your stay, walk or bike to explore and enjoy the area. It’s an eco-friendly way to get around and a more immersive way to enjoy your surroundings.

Eat and shop local

Choose locally sourced food and goods to reduce transportation-related emissions and support regional economies. It helps to sustain both the environment and the communities you love to visit. And fresh, local produce always tastes better!

Respect nature

Follow Leave-No-Trace principles when hiking, beachcombing or exploring. Stay on designated trails, respect wildlife and leave nature just as you found it.

Offset what you can

Travel, especially by air, has a sizable carbon footprint. By purchasing carbon credits, you help fund environmental initiatives that remove or reduce an equivalent amount of emissions. It’s a simple way to balance out the unavoidable impacts of your journey.Reducing your footprint while traveling doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little thought and planning, you can enjoy your vacation home to the fullest, while helping to protect the environment and support the communities that make it so special.

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