With summer fast approaching, you’ve got hot days and (hopefully) some free time in your future. Days at the beach, backyard BBQs, movies in the park a bunch of other fun summer events are sure to fill your summer months. Here are a few ways to ensure you’re fun summer is also a sustainable one.
Here are 10 easy ways to keep your summer green:
- Be sure that during sunny summer days you keep the blinds closed on the side of your house that gets the most sun. This will keep your home cooler and reduce the amount of energy needed to cool it down.
- Make sure you keep lights off when they’re not needed. Especially during the summer months when we have more light during the days, keeping lights off as long as possible will save energy and save your money on your electric bill.
- Take time each week to visit a local farmers market. Local food is fresher, helps support local farmers and reduces the use of fossil fuels. Find a farmers market in your area by visiting Local Harvest’s website at https://www.localharvest.org/.
- Plan to keep drinking water in the refrigerator to keep it cold. This simple tip will reduce the need to keep the water running to cool it down. While you’re at it, remember to turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth or shaving.
- When traveling, be sure to pack reusable bags for souvenirs or your dirty laundry. You make sure to have reusable bags when going to the grocery store at home, be sure to do the same when you’re away.
- Avoid single-use disposable products when traveling, picnicking or hosting backyard BBQs. Helping to reduce plastic use, is important. From Keep Florida Beautiful, “Reusable products are a great way to reduce solid waste and help to prevent litter. In 2015 more than 860,000 plastic bottle caps, 424,000 plastic bags and more than 1 million plastic bottles were recovered from the ocean by clean-up efforts. Simple steps like using reusable products can help.”
- Use some downtime this summer to plant a few shade trees around your home. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reports that the “proper placement of as few as three shade trees will save an average household $100-$250 in energy costs each year.”
