Summer is almost upon us here in the U.K. and the thoughts of summer holidays, sunshine and blissful summer days are starting to creep into our minds. It’s the ultimate season for spending time with friends and family, enjoying stress-free weekends and just generally having a great time. But, while we are enjoying ourselves this summer there is one thing that many of us don’t think about; planet Earth.
The planet is full of plastic, pollution, chemicals and so much more and with summer just around the corner and everyone rushing out to buy their new summer items, whether you realise it or not, you may be contributing to the destruction to our planet. A lot of products and items sold aren’t doing the planet any good but, good news is, there are lots of products out there now that are sustainable and planet-friendly.
Re-usable Water Bottles
When travelling, especially to a hot country, it’s even more important to drink plenty of water. In other countries, like in the U.K., water is sold in plastic bottles so it can be difficult to avoid if you don’t have any other means of getting water.
In lots of countries the tap water is safe to drink so there isn’t an issue on filling one up when needed. If you’re in a country where it isn’t safe to drink tap water there is also the option of a filtering water bottle which enables you to drink the water without any worries. Not only will you be helping the planet by opting out on plastic but you will also save plenty of money too!
Chemical-free Sun Cream
Probably the most common item where people don’t really realise they are damaging the planet is by using sun creams full of chemicals. One of the most common chemicals in sun creams is oxybenzone; this contributes to coral bleaching and the overall destruction of reefs and ocean life.1
Sun cream is a necessity to protect your skin from harmful sun rays so why not opt for a more eco-friendly version and help look after the planet as well as your skin?
Re-usable Straws
The simplest way to avoid straws is simply by asking not to have one when you order a drink but, if you just can’t go without a straw then opt for a more eco-friendly version. You can get stainless steel, glass and even bamboo straws from lots of places now. If you are worried about cleaning them properly don’t worry! Most come with a little cleaning brush to enable you to keep your straws super clean!
Walk!
Most of us jump straight into the car without even thinking about it, even if we are just heading a few minutes down the road to pick up a couple of things from the shops. Summer is the perfect time of year to put those car keys away and swap the drive to the shops for a nice walk there. Not only will you be saving on some pollution but you will save money on fuel but you get a little bit of exercise too.
If you need to drive then think about using public transport instead as this is a smarter choice than jumping in the car.
These are just some ways in which you can make more sustainable choices and swaps this summer. The only planet we have is this one and the only way to help it is by making changes, no matter how big or small.
1 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/features/sunscreen-destroying-coral-reefs-alternatives-travel- spd/
