Walk into any airport and you’ll find yourself?in a place custom-built for efficiency, not environmental sustainability. The United States airline industry alone discards enough aluminum cans every year to build nearly 58 Boeing 747s, and the 30 largest airports in the country create enough garbage to equal that produced by cities the size of Miami, according to this article in Scientific American.

But don’t expect the airlines and airports to change their ways anytime soon. Even in the midst of what we hope is a sustainability revolution, the industry remains remarkably apathetic, demonstrating a serious lack in initiative toward recycling and environmental sustainability in general.

This is a startling realization, particularly considering that more Americans are flying than ever before. Summer is the busiest time of year for?United States airlines. This year, despite a surge in fuel prices,?a record 246.1 million people are expected to fly between June 1st and August 31st, a nearly 4 percent increase since?2017.

Imagine each of these individuals checking a bag, grabbing a paper boarding pass, purchasing a magazine, tossing empty snack packs on the flight, and leaving behind a disposable face mask behind on the seat and you can see the problem…

Ready to do better?

Here are 10 meaningful ways you can be more eco-conscious when you fly.

1. Book direct flights and stay longer

Non-direct flights involve more takeoffs and landings than direct flights, because these activities burn more fuel than simply cruising through the skies. When booking your flight, choose an itinerary that has as few stops as possible. You’ll?waste less time standing in line and Mother Nature will thank you.

2. Sit in economy class

This is really just mathematics. Folks sitting in first or business class leave a much larger carbon footprint than those who are sitting in economy because they’re taking up more space. Some estimate that a premium flyer has a six times worse impact than an economy flyer. Yikes!

3. Opt for a (more) fuel-efficient aircraft

Some?airplane models are more efficient than others ? the best of the best including the Boeing B787-800 Dreamliner, Boeing B737 MAX, Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, and the Airbus A380. While you won’t be able to filter your flights by aircraft, you should be able to look up which airlines use them and go from there.

Lower your carbon footprint by flying economy class.

4. Pack as light as possible

A heavy aircraft works harder and burns more fuel than a light aircraft, so pack what you need and nothing more. Traveling with a group? Suggest sharing things like a hair dryer between you or?borrow from your hotel instead. Using a lightweight suitcase can make a meaningful difference.

5. Refuse all disposables

From your boarding pass to your in-flight munchies, you are going to encounter a ton of disposables. To start, simply skip the physical boarding pass and opt for an electronic version on your smartphone instead. Not only is this one less thing to worry about losing, it’s a helpful way to cut down on your personal waste at the airport. Second, think ahead and pack your own food for the flight, and request that flight attendants dispense drinks?into your reusable water bottle instead.

6. Bring your own in-flight gear

Bring your own headphones, eye mask and blanket (or sweater, preferably) so you won’t?create the need for the airline staff to unwrap and rewrap those items in plastic before the next flight.

Give priority to airlines who are making efforts toward fuel efficiency.

7. Offset your carbon

Many airlines ? Delta, Air Canada, United Airlines, Lufthansa ? have carbon offset programs that are designed to counter the CO2 emissions that were generated on your flight by putting resources toward an eco-friendly project?like?planting trees. Just make sure the offset program is certified, and remember that purchasing offset credits should?not be a means of justifying the system in its current form.

8. Lower the shades and open the vents

Closing the window shades might sound like overkill, but doing so actually keeps the aircraft a few degrees cooler ? enough to keep the staff from having to kick on the air conditioning any higher. A peek here and there is enough.

9. Favor airlines who prioritize fuel efficiency

If you have some flexibility with which airline you choose, consider checking this 2010 report by the International Council on Clean Transportation. They’ve listed airline carriers by fuel efficiency, from most efficient to least efficient, the difference between which?is a whopping?26 percent!

10. Limit unnecessary air travel

Limiting air travel is one of the?best things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. So, when you’re planning a trip, consider using a carbon emissions calculator to see if driving might be a more eco-friendly option.

Related Stories:

3 Ways Becoming a Minimalist Will Improve Your Life
Minimalism is a Debt-Demolishing Lifestyle (Here’s Why)
How to Lead a Nearly Zero-Waste Life

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Excerpt from: 

10 Effective Ways to Make Your Summer Flights More Eco-Friendly