We would like to make every effort to ensure that The Empowerment Tour works toward a carbon neutral promotion. Obviously, with the key ingredient of the tour being a drive across American, particularly in an RV, we are already working from a deficit.
However, the following actions have been taken to minimize our impact generally and there are guidelines for you to implement while on the road to assist us in our objective.
eLearners.com Responsibilities
- Contributing to Terrapass by the purchase of Carbon Offsets for:
- 23,323 lbs. of CO2 for the RV
- 12,227 lbs of CO2 for the Jeep
- Airline flights
- Contributing to Sustainable Travel International by the purchase of Green Tags to offset hotel stays.
Crew’s Responsibilities
- Vehicle maintenance and operation best practices
- Maintain adequate tire pressure.
- Keep engines properly tuned.
- Use the recommended oil grade.
- Minimize aggressive driving.
- Drive 60 mph or less; mileage decreases rapidly above 60 mph.
- Avoid excessive idling.
- Lodging best practices
- Turn off heating and cooling units, lighting, TV, radio and any other powered items when leaving your room.
- Take short showers and don’t request fresh towels and sheets every day if unnecessary.
- Use electronic, paperless checkout if available.
- Pass on complimentary newspapers to others or recycle them; or, request not to be delivered one.
- Bring your own toiletries and avoid using single-use containers provided in rooms; request that they not be replaced daily.
- Unplug appliances when not in use; for example, if you don’t plan to use a mini-fridge and it’s empty, unplug it.
- Use your own container and avoid the use of plastic cups in hotel rooms.
- Use comment cards to suggest ideas for greater energy efficiency in the hotel.
- Event best practices
- Avoid the purchase of individual bottled water. The team can arrange for Culligan to deliver water in reusable bulk containers.
- Purchase items in large boxes/bulk rather than individual service packages. Use reusable bags for carrying goods.
- Purchase goods with recycled content and/or goods that are recyclable. Look for 100 percent post-consumer, recycled content where available.
- If disposable cups, plates, and cutlery are used, purchase compostable items where available.
- Create and place recycling containers next to every garbage can and label them.
- Spread the message about minimizing waste at events.
- Suggest people use public transportation to reach the events.
- Design reusable signs for events.
- Double side promotional materials.
If you have further ideas about advancing the sustainability of the tour, please let us know. Click to see our Eco-Certificate (.PDF) from Sustainable Travel International.