Save Eco Destinations

Hotel de la Porte Doree, Paris

By James Helliwell

With environmental concerns mounting on a daily basis, many citizens and businesses around the world are striving to become more eco-friendly. Becoming more “green” has turned into a concern in many parts of everyday life, and travel is no exception for the modern traveller.

At the same time, staying at an earthy lodge high up on the hillside with no broadband Wi-Fi can be a problem; in these instances, a mobile broadband signal often will not be available either. Now, eco-friendly and well-connected hotels are growing in number all around the world, and many of these establishments are located throughout Europe. Some of the top eco-friendly hotels can be found in Germany, France, Spain and Italy.

Zwei Eichen, Hamburg

Hamburg, Germany

The Zwei Eichen Bed and Breakfast in Hamburg, Germany, is located in the “health village.” The B&B is in a quiet area full of trees and beautiful scenery. Among its eco-friendly services, this quaint establishment offers towel and sheet programs, alternative energy, bulk soap and other amenities, energy and water conservation, recycling, environmental cleaning and organic food. The bed and breakfast takes part in composting and works hard to educate guests and staff members in ways they can be “green.”

L'Ayalga Ecological Inn, La Pandiella

La Pandiella, Spain

Visitors to Spain should take a look at the L’Ayalga Ecological Inn in La Pandiella. This inn is in a prime location between the cool mountains and the warm beach, and is in an area where there are few crowds. L’Ayalga is a farmhouse that was restored using lime and wood treated with only natural oils. Solar panels provide heat for the establishment, and insulation is supplied by hemp rather than synthetic substances. Classes in the ancient arts of tai chi and chi kung (also known as qigong) are available, as are massages, mountain hikes and canoe trips.

Aprile Bed and Breakfast, Torino

Torino, Italy

In Torino, Italy, travellers looking for eco-friendly accommodations should check out the Aprile Bed and Breakfast. The B&B is situated in a prime location in the city, and is close to the open air market. Using only natural paints, wall finishes and wood floors, this B&B was built to leave behind only a small carbon footprint. Laundry services employ natural products and the hotel uses bulk amenities and durable service items. Recycle bins are located in guest rooms and the entire establishment takes part in energy and water conservation efforts.

Paris, France

Even Paris, France, can be experienced during a stay at a “green” hotel. The Hotel de la Porte Doree is a family-owned establishment that has undergone renovations to be more environmentally friendly. There is no carpet to cut down on problems with allergies, and the hotel participates in towel and sheet programs, energy and water conservation, recycling and more.

Hello, I am Firespin Jay. I’m into Technology, Internet Marketing, Travel, Ecology and spinning fire poi and combinations of the above! Hope you enjoy my pieces and life is good.www.firespinjay.co.uk

By James Helliwell

As news headlines repeatedly remind us of the threat of climate change and of the destruction of our natural environment, increasing numbers of people are interested in eco apps that can help them participate in saving the planet.

Some of the best apps are those that help people recycle their mobile phone or other electronic waste (E-waste). The problem with e-waste is growing as people throw out large numbers of older electronic equipment, especially mobile phones, with most of the junk ending up in landfills. Hundreds of millions of phones are purchased each year with most of the older phones discarded without recycling. According to the UN’s Environmental Programme, the amount of e-waste worldwide is growing by about 40 million tons a year.

However, mobile phone recycling and other e-waste is very simple with numerous free drop-off points available. In fact, some sites even pay people for certain old mobile phones and other old electronic equipment if they are still in acceptable condition. The nearest recycling centre may simply be the electronics store down the street.

Fortunately, there are a number of apps that can help you find the nearest recycling location. Some apps do this automatically using the phone’s positioning technology to determine your present location. Otherwise you simply enter an address to find the nearest recycling centre from your home or from any other location. Another great thing is that many of the best eco apps are offered entirely free of charge.

Here are 5 great eco apps you can use to help keep you green!

1. T-Mobile Recycle Guide – T-Mobile launched this great app to help users in recycling mobile phones and other items that contribute to the degradation of the environment. The guide uses the largest recycling database in the United Kingdom to provide users with the nearest recycling drop-off point. The application can be used for recycling e-waste along with other items like Christmas trees. Recycle Guide allows Android users to make recycling pledges. You can also share recycling information with your friends using this free app.
2. ShopGreen – A free application at the Apple App Store, ShopGreen not only provides information on green shopping sources, but also gives the nearest recycling locations. The recycling data includes maps and other relevant information in addition to the address. ShopGreen also comes with CO2 calculators and a CO2 offset link.
3. Carbon Meter – An Android app from ViralMesh, Carbon Meter tracks and logs the carbon footprint of different green activities including walking and biking. Also includes information on recycling centre locations.
4. My Recycle List – A free Android & IPhone app from Electronic Recyclers International, Inc. My Recycle List provides information on the recycling centre nearest your location including address, driving directions and contact information.
5. EcoPoints – A free IPhone app from Wake Apps, EcoPoints identifies the nearest waste collection and recycling centres for paper, plastic and glass using the Global Positioning System.

Check out these apps and start recycling those old mobile phones!

Hello, I am Firespin Jay. I’m into Technology, Internet Marketing, Travel, Ecology and spinning fire poi and combinations of the above! Hope you enjoy my pieces and life is good.www.firespinjay.co.uk