- Cathy Parkin
- Jul 7, 2023
- 3 min read
SUMMER! The season of holidays, weddings, festivals, sports, and al fresco dining. These things can weigh heavy on our carbon footprint, so we've put together a quick list of some of the things you can do to have a more eco friendly summer.
1. Eat more ice cream cones!
Yes, I said it. Instead of buying your frozen, sugary treats in a disposable cup or container, imagine if there was a biodegradable, compostable, or edible alternative... yep! THERE ALREADY IS! Most often, ice cream cones come bare with no other packaging or plastic. This makes it the perfect sustainability treat for the summer time!
2. Bring your reusable water bottle, everywhere.
Don't leave your house without your wallet, keys, and reusable water bottle. Not only will it keep you hydrated in the hot summer heat but it will also save you money and reduce waste.
UK consumers go through an estimated 14 billion plastic drinks bottles per year, according to gov.uk. A rise in consciousness around single-use plastic means more people are turning to reusable alternatives. The best water bottles these days are BPA free.
BPA stands for Bisphenol A, an industrial chemical compound used in the manufacturing of strong plastics. Some research suggests BPA can leak into food and drink and cause health problems. “When looking for a bottle, look for non-toxic materials. Stainless steel is one of the most eco-friendly materials for a water bottle. Not only is it safe, but it is very durable and infinitely recyclable,” says Natalie Byrne, content marketing manager at Go Outdoors.
Look for the ideal reusable water bottle, according to Natalie from Go Outdoors, here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/recommended/leisure/best-water-bottles/
3. Eco friendly wedding outfits.
Eco-friendly fashion is booming in the UK. Why not go green for your next wedding piece (not in colour, unless that’s what you fancy).
If you’re a fan of second-hand or vintage shopping you’ll be familiar with the thrill of finding that perfect pre-loved piece. The exact same principles apply when it comes to looking for your sustainable wedding dress, suit or other attire.
Buying your wedding fashion second-hand (there are online stores such as Vinted, eBay, Depop, or plenty of bricks and mortar shops) is a great way to reduce the environmental impact of a wedding day. Not only that, it’s a great way to push against the ‘wear once’ culture of wedding attire and extend the lifestyle of existing clothes that would otherwise sit in storage for decades, or just go to landfill.
If you do decide to shop for a brand-new outfit, the first thing to consider is the designer or shop, and what type of fabrics they use. Seek out places committed to environmentally-friendly fabrics and ethical production.
4. Grab your belly(boards)!
We're lucky enough to be living in one of the most beautiful counties in the UK, with (arguably) some of the best beaches in the world. However, many Cornish businesses are on a mission to protect our coastline and turn the tide on un-sustainable tourism.
Every year thousands of polystyrene belly boards are left on our beaches, they easily break, and leave behind toxic particles. This type of pollution is incredibly dangerous to our coastal wildlife & Cornwall's marine eco system.
Companies such as Dick Pearce sell sturdy, wooden belly boards to tackle this issue whilst still ensuring fun loving beachgoers can enjoy the summer surf. Buy a board and make many happy memories over the years, or rent a board for the day at the many pop-up units and shops that are growing increasingly popular in hotspots across the Duchy.
5. More meat free BBQ's.
Research has found the use of cows, pigs and other animals for food, as well as livestock feed, is responsible for 57% of all food production emissions, with 29% coming from the cultivation of plant-based foods. The rest comes from other uses of land, such as for cotton or rubber. Beef alone accounts for a quarter of emissions produced by raising and growing food.
The difference in emissions between meat and plant production is stark – to produce 1kg of wheat, 2.5kg of greenhouse gases are emitted. A single kilo of beef, meanwhile, creates 70kg of emissions. The researchers said that societies should be aware of this significant discrepancy when addressing the climate crisis.
Find vegetarian BBQ recipes and more at https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegetarian-barbecue-recipes
6. Ditch the plastic festival sparkles.
Glitter is a microplastic, which means it doesn’t break down and pollutes our oceans. Microplastics are so small that they’re virtually impossible to remove from our beaches, oceans, and the green spaces in which our biggest and brightest festivals take place.
The good news is the biodegradable glitter options available now, so you can still sparkle without harming the environment. Check out Eco Glitter Fun to browse their full range of guilt-free eco-friendly glitter.
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