Guest Post: Greening The Back To School Beach Outings

Even though the school year has approached there are still many places across the country where warmer temperatures persist and hitting the beaches, lakes, and ponds will continue well into the winter months. That’s why at a time when our environment constantly needs better tender loving care taking the lead in bringing an eco-friendly mindset to the outings are important and can spawn real change in others down the road.

This encompasses everything from the products we use at the beach to the havoc we may create by so-to-speak ‘invading’ local habitats. Since our coasts are precious meeting places between land and sea whether you visit them for a hike or a simple day in the sun keep in mind some of the following tips when planning your next outing:

• Safe sun protection: Some sun is good for us but overexposure requires sunscreen. The problem is many brands don’t adequately protect us from dangerous rays and what’s even more surprising is they contain chemicals that studies have shown affect our reproductive systems and cause cancer. If you are going to use sunscreen at the beach check the ingredients, as the healthiest ones will be plant or mineral based. Prices may vary widely but when it comes to your health it’s important to compromise as little as possible.

• Safe bug protection: Depending on the time of day mosquitoes and other bugs may become a nuisance. For safe insect control watch out for sprays with toxic chemicals such as DEET and use natural alternatives.

• Limit use of plastic: Instead of bringing non-degradable plastic cutlery, cups, and plates for the day trip use reusable or biodegradable ones. Even if you are sure about throwing the trash out at home and that it won’t get lost on the shore reusables are the way to go. After all, it you don’t start using them now then when?

• Transportation: If possible try and take the bus or train to the beach. This will cut down on emissions, especially when going to busy areas where trying to find a parking space can mean circling around and around.

• Recycle: Whether it’s plastic, paper, glass or objects made from similar substances check if they can be reused or reprocessed before trashing them. Even scraps of food should be set aside for compost.

• Be responsible: Be protective and not destructive of the setting and take care of the local ecosystem. This may require a bit more supervision when children are involved but help preserve the landscape by being gentle with plants and wildlife. Try to use marked paths as venturing too far off into the wild may hurt the local habitat and if you find trash pick it up even if it doesn’t belong to you.

Jakob Barry writes for Networx.com. He covers various eco-friendly home improvement topics including sunroom additions and outdoor generator repairs.

Thank you Jakob for another great article!