Summer is one of our favorite seasons here at Dorai—and for good reason. The days are longer and school is out. It’s a great time to take vacation, host barbecues, and get outside.
But with all this extra travel, entertaining, and fun come ways to consider our impact on the environment. Luckily, enjoying a more sustainable summer is easier than you might think. To help you out, here are our top 10 summer sustainability tips to try for yourself.
1. Visit the Farmer’s Market
You’ve probably heard the phrase “buy local,” but how does that lead to a more eco-friendly summer? The most simple answer? When you buy vegetables, fruits, and herbs that are grown in your area, it doesn’t have to travel far to get to you, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
In the United States, conventionally produced food is estimated to travel about 1500 miles from farm to plate. But the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 defines locally grown as “being transported less than 400 miles, or from within the state in which it is produced.”
In addition, smaller farms tend to practice biodiversity—the variety of plants, animals, and microorganisms—which leads to healthier soil and less impact on the local ecosystem. They also use fewer pesticides, which is a win for our health and the environment.
Oh, and because food at your local farmer’s market doesn’t need to be genetically modified to withstand extended periods of transportation, it’s usually fresher and more flavorful than produce from far away.
Haven’t shopped at a farmer’s market before? Read our farmer’s market shopping list for some ideas on what to buy to enjoy a more sustainable summer.
2. Embrace Reusables
This is one of our sustainability tips for summer that can be a challenge—especially because barbecues and picnics abound. It often seems easier to opt for disposable utensils, plastic bottles, sandwich bags, and paper towels.
Fortunately, pretty much any single-use item now has a reusable alternative. With a little bit of planning, you can drastically reduce the amount of single-use items you use as a household to celebrate a more eco-friendly summer. Plus, most reusable kitchen items are now dishwasher safe.
Here are some simple swaps you can make for a more sustainable summer:
- Swap plastic produce bags for reusable mesh bags
- Ditch single-use sandwich bags for silicone snack bags
- Change out paper napkins for cloth napkins
- Replace plastic straws with compostable or reusable straws
- Instead of storing left overs in tin foil, opt for beeswax food covers
- Swap disposable dinnerware for durable, reusable, and non-toxic dishwasher-safe alternatives
- Upgrade single-use water bottles to reusable metal or BPA-free plastic bottles
It might seem counterproductive at first to go out and buy reusable alternatives. But once you make the investment and change your habits, you’ll reduce your garbage and save money in a more eco-friendly summer.
If it’s overwhelming to ditch your disposables, start with something simple, like reusable sandwich bags over plastic ones. You can always gradually work towards a complete overhaul.
3. Compost
Instead of tossing all your organic waste into a landfill, where it generates methane, try this next piece of advice on our list of summer sustainability tips.
Start composting.
Not only does composting reduce garbage, but you’re helping to create high-quality, nutrient-rich soil that you can use in your garden—if you have one—or even for house plants.
If you don’t have a backyard for an outdoor compost pit, there are plenty of alternatives for contained compost containers that can help lead to a more sustainable summer. Many cities now offer curbside compost programs, where you place your organic waste into a separate bin and have it carted off to a municipal composting facility.
Some community gardens and local farms welcome contributions to their compost heaps, too. No matter where you live or how involved you want to get, there’s a way to make composting part of a more eco-friendly summer.
4. Have a Staycation
If you haven’t heard the term “staycation,” it means what you’d think: a vacation where you stay at or near your home. As far as summer sustainability tips go, staycations started becoming more popular in 2020 due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
According to the EPA, commercial planes and large business jets account for about ten percent of all U.S. transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and three percent of all U.S. GHG emissions. By staying local, you’re reducing your carbon footprint, saving money, and oftentimes optimizing your vacation time because you don’t actually have to spend time in transit.
5. Conserve Energy at Home
Conserving energy around your home reduces your environmental impact and saves money—a win all around. While there are some energy conservation methods—like replacing incandescent light bulbs with LEDs or installing energy-efficient windows—that require investment and planning, there are plenty of simple ways to reduce your energy use for a more sustainable summer.
Here are a few of our favorites:
Raise the temperature on your thermostat
For a more eco-friendly summer, you can be comfortable in your home without being cold. Set your thermostat to 75° Fahrenheit and consider raising the temperature or turning your AC off when you leave the house.
Every degree of extra cooling increases your energy usage about six to eight percent. That means using your thermostat effectively can lead to serious energy savings and a more sustainable summer.
Wash cold & hang dry your clothes
About 90% of the energy your washing machine uses goes towards heating the water. When it comes to sustainability tips for summer, washing cold reduces your household energy, and it’s actually better for your clothes.
Dryers use a ton of energy, too, and they also raise the temperature in your home. For a more sustainable summer, take advantage of the warmer air to line-dry your clothes instead of running the dryer.
Read this article for more ways to make your laundry routine eco-friendly.
Close your shades
South- and west-facing windows let the most sunlight into your home, which in turn raises the indoor temperature. Keep these windows covered during the day. As far as summer sustainability tips are concerned, this one will keep your house cooler and reduce the need to crank the AC.
Take advantage of natural light
North-facing windows, on the other hand, let in more even, indirect light that won’t heat up your home. Instead of keeping lights and lamps on when you’re home during the day, take to heart this next recommendation on our list of sustainability tips for summer. Keep the blinds up and use that natural light.
6. Use Eco-Friendly Sunscreen
Choosing eco-friendly sunscreen is a no-brainer for a more sustainable summer. Go for mineral-based options with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They’re way better long-term for the environment.
This simple swap helps keep our oceans healthy and your skin protected. It’s a win-win! So, for a more eco-friendly summer, make the switch and feel good about protecting yourself and the planet.
7. Bike More, Drive Less
Reducing your carbon footprint is key to a more eco-friendly summer, so hop on your bike and drive less! In terms of summer sustainability tips, biking is a fantastic way to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and get some exercise.
For shorter trips, grab your bike or take a walk instead of driving. Also encourage your friends and family to do the same. It’s a fun way to get them involved in a healthy, green activity.
8. Choose Plant-Based Meals
Eating more plant-based meals is another great way to enjoy a sustainable summer. Not only is it good for the planet, but it’s also great for your health.
Why not host a plant-based barbecue or picnic? As far as summer sustainability tips are concerned, share some tasty, eco-friendly dishes with your friends and family. This simple change can make a big impact on your environmental footprint.
9. Reduce Water Usage
Saving water is key for a sustainable summer, especially if you live in a drought-prone area. Simple changes like taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and using a broom instead of a hose for cleaning driveways can make a big difference.
Try out our Over the Sink Dish Pad when washing dishes. It lets excess water drain efficiently while cutting down on waste and keeping your sink area clean and dry. Plus, Dorai’s Stone Sink Caddy is perfect for keeping your sink area organized and tidy.
Think about adding water-saving fixtures and planting drought-resistant plants in your garden. Collecting rainwater for watering your plants is another great way to cut down on water use.
By following these summer sustainability tips, you can help create an eco-friendly summer for yourself and your community. Every drop counts, and small changes can add up to big environmental benefits over time.
10. Grow Your Own Vegetables
Want a fun and rewarding way to go green? Try growing your own vegetables!
This is one of our favorite summer sustainability tips because planting a garden at home cuts down on trips to the store and the emissions that come with them. Plus, you get to control what goes into your food by using fewer pesticides and fertilizers for healthier produce.
Even if you’re short on space, you can grow fresh herbs indoors using Dorai Stone Saucers to keep your surfaces dry and tidy. These versatile, instant-drying saucers not only protect your home from unwanted moisture but also add a touch of natural elegance to your indoor garden.
Gardening is also a fantastic way to connect with nature and reduce stress. Whether you have a big yard or just a small balcony, growing your own veggies can make for a more delicious and sustainable summer.