Being eco-friendly does not mean you need to spend extra cash to lower your impact on the planet. In fact, it could even result in the opposite: you may end up saving money by using resources more effectively.

Here we present you some cheap ideas for travelling green as you swap:

- Borrow travel books or guides from your local library or from a friend. Another option is to buy a used travel guide or trade a previously purchased guide. The later is a different but equally effective kind of exchange.

- As we have mentioned before, reducing your luggage eliminates CO2 emission from the extra fuel needed to carry the weight travelling along with you. For example, there are many items that you will be able to use during a swap that you would have to bring along if you had chosen another mean of accommodation (hotel, etc.).

- If you have not included car exchange in your home exchange deal and you need to use a car, choose the model wisely. For example, a small car would be the most appropriate for a couple, compact cars are almost always cheaper and more fuel-efficient, and finally an hybrid vehicle could help you cut on gas adding to the savings. You should choose the smallest car that’s suitable for your needs.

- If you are travelling in your own car, prepare it beforehand. Take it for a tune up and check the tires. There are other ways you can improve your car’s fuel efficiency, check your owner’s manual or search the web. There are many tips and ideas that are easy to apply and can help you save money and improve your car’s performance. For example, a user submitted the following tip to Whatprice.co.uk:

“Use your gears wisely.
Driving in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine is a fuel-efficient way of driving. A vehicle travelling at 37 mph in third gear uses 25 percent more fuel than at the same speed in fifth gear.”

Image by prozac1 /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

- Avoid over-using disposable items if you are staying in an area where there’s no recycling plan. Plastic bottles may take over 1000 years to decompose, so if they end up in a landfill the bottles you dispose will be here much longer than you! You could bring your own re-usable bottle and buy drinks in larger returnable containers. That way you will avoid leaving plastic bottles behind and you will save money as the price per volume is less when you buy in bulk.

Send us your ideas for a greener home exchange!