Summer is the perfect time to start living a greener lifestyle: there are so many opportunities to reduce, reuse, and recycle, whether you’re at the beach, at work, or at the gym. You can take advantage of this summer’s eco trends and save electricity and gas by spending more time outdoors. It’s easy being green when the sun is shining!
At the Beach or BBQ
1. Wear mineral-based sunscreen (look for zinc dioxide) to avoid unnecessary chemicals.
2. Choose beachwear and towels made from organic cotton and low-impact dyes, like the Natalie Sugar Bikini by Olga Olsson, pictured at right (www.olgaolsson.com).
3. At your next barbecue, opt for propane grills instead of charcoal to reduce air pollution.
4. Use DEET-free, plant-based bug repellents (look for ingredients like citronella, lemongrass, and rosemary).
5. Eliminate single-use plates, cups, and utensils by bringing your own.
6. Looking for an on-trend beach tote? Try to find one that’s made from recycled materials (check out www.whiteapplethreads.com and www.seabags.com for adorable bags made from recycled coffee sacks and sails—Sea Bags are a Maine-made product!).
At Home
7. Use fans rather than wasting money and energy on air conditioning.
8. Unplug appliances and chargers when you’re not using them.
9. Recycle everything that you can, from plastic and paper to cell phones and computers.
10. Take advantage of the summer heat by hanging laundry to dry.
11. Living in an apartment? You can still have fresh herbs—plant a few of your favorite herbs in small pots and keep them on your windowsill.
12. Avoid plastic water bottles this summer: fill up a Brita pitcher and keep it in the fridge.
13. Keep your house cooler by installing energy-efficient light bulbs—they emit almost no heat.
14. Clean out those dated pieces in your wardrobe to make room for this season’s trends, and donate them to Goodwill or Salvation Army.
15. Upgrading to a new phone this summer? Recycle your old one: visit www.greenphone.com to get instant credit toward another phone or cash back. They also plant a tree for every cell phone that’s recycled!
At Work
16. If you live close enough, walk or bike to work (or carpool, if driving is necessary).
17. Bring reusable mugs, dishes, and utensils instead of using disposable ones.
18. Bring a reusable lunch box—there are so many styles and colors to choose from!
19. Request that your paychecks be directly deposited into your bank account to save paper, time, and a trip to the bank.
20. Recycle used ink cartridges (usually new ink cartridges come with a preaddressed envelope—easy and fail-safe!).
21. Are you in need of office supplies? Check out www.thegreenoffice.com for eco-friendlier options.
At the Gym
22. Try a little outdoor cardio—walk, run, or bike outdoors and enjoy the fresh air.
23. Look for fitness clothing made from eco-friendly or sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled polyester (visit www.gaiam.com for a large selection of yoga mats, equipment, and apparel).
24. Carpool with a friend—a workout buddy will keep you motivated and help save gas.
25. A large amount of energy goes into washing and drying towels, so instead of relying on the gym, bring your own bath and swim towel (and make sure you reuse it a few times!).
26. Stay away from reusing plastic water bottles—the more you refill them, the more toxic chemicals like cancer-causing Bisphenol A (BPA) can leach into your water. Choose reusable, BPA-free options like a Klean Kantene or a FilterForGood Nalgene.
At the Market
27. Always remember to bring reusable bags when you go grocery shopping.
28. Choose foods that are in season (think berries, corn on the cob, and greens, etc.—visit www.eattheseasons.com for many more seasonal foods).
29. Avoid processed foods and stick to organic whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes.
30. Shop at your local farmers’ market (visit www.localharvest.org to find one near you).
Images from OlgaOlsson.com, SeaBags.com, SheKnows.com, GreenOfficeMakeover.com, Gaiam.com, KathrynCooks.com