20 Ways You Can Save The Planet This Summer
1. Avoid disposable products for outdoor cookouts and picnics
Using disposable plates, utensils, cups, and napkins may be a good choice for easy cleanup, but not when it comes to the environment.
2. Use reusable water bottles instead of disposable ones
•With so many environmental and health benefits to stay hydrated, there are nearly unlimited options for water bottles on the market today – from chemically safe BPA-free plastic – to glass and stainless steel versions.
Garage and yard sales are popular in summer, and it's also a good time to find a new home for your own clutter. Buying second hand is good for the environment. Fewer new items are being produced, which results in less water used, reduced waste, and fewer carbon emissions
4. Clothesline dry laundry in summer sun
Hanging your laundry out to dry instead of using the dryer not only conserves energy and saves on your electric bill, but also has other benefits as well. Using a clothesline can save over $200 per year on your utility bills.
5. Pull down your shades during hot summer days
Effective window coverings can go a long way towards lowering our energy use and our electric bill. During the higher temperature months, "76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat," according to the Department of Energy.
Eating less meat may not only contribute to better overall health, but it is also good for the planet.
Farmers markets and seasonal produce hit their peak during the summer. They are also a great way to eat healthy, while helping the environment.
About 30% of what we toss can be composted instead of ending up in landfills. When composted, food scraps and yard waste enriches the soil and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
Summer is the perfect time to take up these environmentally friendlier transportation methods, and they are also a great way to get exercise and positively impact your health.
10. Find creative ways to conserve water
There are numerous ways to conserve water every day, from taking shorter showers to fixing leaking faucets. But there are ways that you may not be thinking of to save more H2O. This summer and beyond, you can get creative by collecting the water you use while rinsing fruit and vegetables to water your plants and shrubs. The same can be done with the old water your pet didn't drink when you give it new water. Our lawns can turn brown in the summer, but it's often wasteful to keep watering them to stay green. When the kids want to beat the heat, why not use the sprinkler to hydrate the lawn as well? Use the same idea to wash your pets outdoors on a brown patch of grass.
11. Use reef-friendly sunscreen
As much as 6,000 tons of sunscreen are estimated to wash into coral reefs every year. The safest bet is to cover most of your body with UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) clothing and put the reef-safe sunscreen on any remaining skin.
12. Volunteer to clean beaches
Environmental groups, civic organizations, and parks departments organize beach cleanups throughout the year. Just search for one in your local area to take part. People can also collect trash from beaches if an organized opportunity isn't available.
There are many options on the market, made from bamboo, silicone, glass, and more, and in several shapes and sizes. Or drink straight from the glass.
14. Wear eco-friendly sunglasses
Sunglasses can range from no-name cheap shades to designer brands that cost more than some people's rent. But no matter the price, most pairs are not environmentally friendly. They are made of plastic, metal, paint and other materials that are near impossible to recycle and will spend forever in a landfill. To combat this waste, companies are making sunglasses that are eco-friendly and even socially conscious. Some pairs are made from recycled materials, such as fishing nets, reused ocean plastic, old skateboards, and vintage records.
15. Choose a propane grill
Charcoal grilled burgers may taste great in the summer, but they're not the most environmentally friendly way to have a BBQ.
16. Try natural products for your summer remedies
If you are looking to avoid chemicals when repelling mosquitoes, then there are plenty of natural products on the market as well. You can also try natural ingredients, such as lemon eucalyptus oil, cinnamon oil, citronella oil, and tea tree oil, to repel mosquitoes.
17. Unplug electronics when you are out and try solar power chargers
Beyond just turning off electronic devices when they are not in use, unplugging them can also save energy and money.
18. Use indoor plants as natural air purifiers
Though this one may not have benefits just in the summer, but year-round, bringing nature indoors is not only pleasant, but provides also several health benefits, such as lowering stress and improve happiness.
19. Save on your electricity bill by letting in natural daylight
Letting in too much sunlight may contribute to overheating homes but finding the right balance of letting in daylight from windows – but not direct sunlight – can reduce the need for artificial lights.
20. Take an eco-friendly summer vacation
Find an environmentally friendly form of transportation to arrive and get around your destination; choose an energy-efficient hotel; stay away from damaging recreational activities; and conserve water and energy use.
Source:https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/08/02/20-ways-to-make-your-summer-more-environmentally-friendly/39866829/
