SUSTAINABLE SWAPS
Sustainable Summer Swaps
by Bria Zegarelli
JULY 17, 2024
Summer activities and products are always focused on being outside, but this summer, consider making the effort to focus on helping the outdoors as well. Luckily, there are so many easy ways to make your normal summer activities and products much better for the environment! Below are 10 ways that you can make your summer more sustainable without disrupting your normal summer routine.
- Reusable or Compostable Summer Items
By using reusable bags, straws, and water bottles, as well as compostable and biodegradable utensils, plates, and cups, you can heavily reduce waste, especially during cookouts. - Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Obviously, sunscreen is a necessity during the summer. However, sunscreen can contain chemicals that are too harsh for our environment, especially when it comes off in the ocean as people are swimming. This pollution from sunscreen can damage plants, reefs, and animals–and, as a result, the entire ecosystem — within the ocean. Therefore, it is important to find sunscreens that are either labeled as reef-safe or are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide based. - Walking and Biking
Biking and walking are great ways to reduce air pollution and other emissions while also spending time in the warm summer weather. - DIY bug repellent
Instead of using bug repellent that may contain harsh chemicals, you can make your own DIY bug repellent with natural ingredients, such as citronella, lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, and peppermint oils, as well as with witch hazel or apple cider vinegar. - DIY desserts and drinks
Instead of buying a bunch of packaged summer treats or drinks, try to make your own! That way, there won’t be as much unnecessary waste, especially if you are having a party or cookout. - LED outdoor lights
To save energy during the summer nights, try to use LED outdoor lights when you can. LED lights are known for their energy efficiency, so they are good when you have to leave lights on for a long time during an outdoor summer party or cookout. - Farmers Markets
Consider going to your local farmers’ market to buy produce. Farmers markets often have in-season produce from local farmers, who drive less of a distance to sell their goods. Not only does this reduce air pollution, but the food is also healthier because it spends less time being transported, so it loses fewer nutrients in the process. - Thrifting and Upcycling
Summer is a time to try out new styles and outfits, but one way to do this is to either thrift or to turn old clothes into something new! This prevents unnecessary waste and overconsumption when buying clothes for the summer. - Conserving Water
In the hot summer months, it’s common to use more water than during the rest of the year. To compensate for this extra usage, make sure to conserve water in other ways, like turning the water off when you brush your teeth or taking shorter showers. - Planting Native Plants
If you like to garden during the summer, you can incorporate environmentally-friendly habits into this hobby by planting native plants in your yard or garden. When a person plants native plants, this attracts native pollinators, which leads to less need for fertilizer and water.
Leave A Comment