Ways to have a more Eco-Friendly Summer

The Summer holidays have officially started! There’s nothing better than Summer, right? Soaking up the sun, chilling on the lake, sitting by a bonfire with a beer in hand, having backyard barbecues, and spending time with friends and family on a warm summer evening. It is the ultimate season when it’s all just about having fun and spending time with those who you love and enjoy to be around.

We have so many things planned now that Molly is older, but I’m also getting ready by having a few items on hand for a more eco-friendly summer. Because not only do I want to have a blissful summer, I also want to do what I can for this big beautiful planet of ours!

Check out these things you can do on the daily — so you and your family can have a more eco-friendly summer!

Take your own essentials everywhere you go.

Avoid having to buy plastic bottles of water, snacks or plastic bags when out and about by always remembering your reusable water bottle, a few canvas bags and some food/snacks from home. Throw in a few cloth wipes with you to clean up mucky hands and faces too. Maisie from LoveMaisie has a wonderful post about creating a zero waste kit to take out and about with you. It contains cutlery, reusable straws, food containers and more. All helping to reduce waste for a more Eco-friendly summer.

Grow your own.

Thers nothing better than growing you’re own food. It’s not only a way to reduce food waste, but its also a grate things to get the kids involved with over the Summer Holidays. Teaching them about the life cycle of plants and where food comes from. Tomatoes, peas and strawberries are a pretty easy starting point. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the fruits of your labor!

We are currently waiting for the key to are new plot on a local allotment. I am beyond excited to start growing and producing our own food.

Swap Your Sun Cream.

Try and opt for a sun cream that’s not going to harm your skin or the planet. Recent research and studies show a common chemical in spray-on and lotion sunscreens — oxybenzone — contributes to the coral bleaching, the killing of reefs, and overall destruction of ocean life.

There are many plastic free, natural alternatives available with a broad spectrum UVA and UVB filter. Sunshade is apparently a good one, as well as Skin food from Acala. If you are after a Vegan alternitive, then Plastic Freedom have a vegan, plastic free,  sun cream called Amazinc.

At your next barbecue, opt for a vegan option

Rather than telling you to fully go vegan, I’m challenging you to make a little swap this summer.

At your next barbecue, instead of going for the regular, meaty hot dogs or burgers, try out the vegan alternative. Seriously, I bet you won’t even tell the difference! I’ve had tons of friends who’ve tried the vegan hot dogs and burgers, even the ‘chicken’ nuggets and some say they taste even better. Additionally, not only are they healthier but also way better for the environment, as animal agriculture is a huge contributor to climate change. They also look exactly like the real thing!

So, at your next barbecue, opt for a more eco-friendly product: vegan burgers and hot dogs instead of regular ones. You can usually find vegan hot dogs at any major food store like Sainsbury’s or Asda!

Pass on the Plastic Straw

Not only am I challenging you to swap out your regular hot dogs for vegan hot dogs, I’m also challenging you to say no to every single plastic straw you come across!

Not only are we filling the oceans with plastic water bottles, we’re also contributing to the global plastic problem by continuing to use plastic straws. There are so many other alternatives out there if you would still like to use straws. Metal ones, bamboo ones, glass ones, collapsible ones, silicone ones. Find the right one for you!

Ditch the Car

Try and opt for train travel wherever possible. It’s more environmentally friendly Than flying and the kids will enjoying the scenery a little more. You can get to any place in the UK via train. If you live in London, Southeastern  have an amazing deal running this summer.

With tickets starting at just £15, travel from London to 12 destinations on the Southeastern network packed with hidden and not so hidden gems to discover. Plus, our offer includes Kids for £1 so children aged 5 to 15 can travel for just £1! Summer Offer ends on 18 August 2019

 If you are flying, try and opt for airlines with carbon efficient aircraft’s to reduce your carbon footprint that way. There are orginisations like World Land Trust. that can help you offset your carbon footprint.

Make Your own

There are so many things that you can make yourself that will not only save you money and time, but will probably be healthier. You can make your own nut butters, jams (if you go fruit picking), ice lollies, smoothies, juices and more! If you want to go that one step further, you can also make your own household items such as soaps, cleaners, cloth wipes – anything! It is a perfect way to reduce, reuse and recycle for a Eco-friendly summer!

Do you have any more tips for having an eco -friendly Summer? Share them in the comments below !