9 Tips for a Spectacularly Sustainable Summer
Keep Knoxville Beautiful volunteers picking up litter. Photo by Keep Knoxville Beautiful.
Summer is here! As we head outside to soak up the sun (or relax inside with the air conditioning), there are different sustainability practices that we can adopt to make sure our summer is great for us, but also great for the environment.
Get Outside
Now that the days are longer and the weather is warmer, the outdoors are calling. Whether you head up to the Great Smoky Mountains or enjoy one of Knoxville’s many great city and county parks, being outside has many positive effects on our mental health while also reminding us how important it is to care for this beautiful planet.
2. Pick up litter on your walks or hikes
As you head outside, make sure to bring a bag to pick up some litter along the way. This will create a more beautiful environment for both your fellow hikers and the wildlife to enjoy. Make it a goal to pick up five pieces of litter a day.
3. Start a garden
Whether you love flowers or vegetables, you can have a garden that benefits the environment. With a native plant garden, you will be saving water and supporting the ecosystem. With a vegetable garden, you will be growing your own food to fill your table. Food always tastes better when it’s homegrown!
Vegan barbeque. Photo by Vegan Mallorca.
4. Shop at the local farmers’ market
If growing your own vegetables isn’t your thing, then you can support local farmers at the farmers’ market. Not only does buying local support the local economy, but it is also great for the environment because food doesn’t have to travel great distances to make it to our grocery shelves. Check out the Knoxville Farmers’ Market on Market Square, or other great farmers’ markets around Knoxville.
5. Reduce meat and waste at barbeques
Everyone loves a summer barbeque, but we can be mindful of the amount of waste we produce. Use reusable plates and cups and cloth napkins instead of paper napkins. It might create a bit more washing up, but it’ll create a lot less waste. An additional eco-friendly tip is to reduce the amount of meat served at a barbeque. Offer veggie options, like kebabs, black bean burgers, or vegetarian hot dogs. If you are attending a barbeque, you can always ask the host if they could provide a meat-free option.
6. Carry a reusable water bottle with you
It is always important to stay hydrated, but in the summer, it is even more important to constantly replenish the water we lose in our sweat. One of the best ways to do this is to always carry a reusable water bottle with you. This will keep you hydrated while also reducing your amount of plastic waste.
7. Stay cool sustainably
Tennessee summers are no joke, and it is important to stay cool. However, running the AC all day long is a drain on both our wallets and the environment, so try some more eco-friendly and budget friendly options, such as using a fan or opening up windows.
A boat on a lake. Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash.
8. Use eco-friendly sunscreen
Sunscreen is an essential part of summer, but unfortunately, some sunscreen formulas contain chemicals that can harm the coral reefs. The chemicals can put significant stress on the coral, which harms the wildlife depending on the coral reefs for survival. When buying sunscreen, make sure it doesn’t have the two main offenders, oxybenzone and octinoxate. Thankfully, there are lots of sunscreens that don’t contain these harmful chemicals.
9. Be an eco-conscious traveler
There are so many ways to be an eco-conscious traveler! While air travel can be unavoidable when traveling, make sure to pick the most sustainable form of travel once you arrive in your destination. Walk, bike, or take a bus. As well, make sure you are being respectful of wildlife and supporting the local economy during your travels.