Packing light

I did it again.  I packed items that I didn’t use during my recent travel. The good news, though, is that I packed fewer extra items than on previous trips.  I try to think about what I will need and not take a lot of extra items.  The reason this matters is that cars, planes, buses, and trains use more fuel when they carry more weight.  If each passenger carries several unnecessary items, a lot more fuel is needed.  Some ideas to reduce weight when you’re packing for travel:

• Plan to wear layers if the weather will be cold.  Many clothing items can do double duty.  And some items, such as raincoats, may need to go along just in case. 
• Put shampoo and similar toiletries in smaller reusable containers instead of taking large bottles.
• If you will be at your destination for several days, plan to do laundry part way through the trip rather than taking enough clean clothes for the entire trip.
• Plan to shop for food at your destination and pack only what you will eat during the actual travel time.