RALEIGH, N.C. — If you’re planning on traveling this summer, there’s a lot to consider before taking that trip.

Experts say how you travel could impact the environment. 

What You Need To Know

  • Bryan Staley, CEO and president of the Environmental Research and Education Foundation of Raleigh, urges summer travelers to reduce waste 
  • Staley offers three tips to reduce waste: avoid disposable utensils, use e-tickets and recycle
  • Travel can contribute to waste in oceans, lakes or other areas, Staley says

Bryan Staley, CEO and president of the Environmental Research and Education Foundation of Raleigh, says there are ways to reduce waste during your summer travels.

A travel survey by Vacationer this year found 85% of American adults plan to travel at least once this summer.

That’s up 5% from the previous year and 17% from 2021.

There are three things Staley says are important for families to remember while on vacation:

  • Avoid disposable utensils
  • Use plane or attraction e-tickets
  • Recycle

“Make it a family competition, how can you generate the least amount of trash,” Staley said.

Staley says if you’re traveling by car, take reusable water bottles.

"One of the biggest challenges is if you’re not looking for ways to reduce waste, let’s say if you’re at the beach or a lake, those can be very windy areas, so if you’re not doing those things, you can see litter blowing into the ocean, which can add to large portions of ocean debris," Staley said.