Is there a better way to enjoy summer than spending it on a beautiful beach? With rising temperatures being near the sea or ocean is one of the most refreshing places to spend hot summer days, but it’s important to leave the place as we found it, or even better than we found it. We’ve put together some easy tips that’ll ensure you have the most eco-friendly trip to the seaside.
1. Take the bare minimum.
The most crucial advice is also the simplest to do. You should take as little as possible to the beach with you. The less we take, the less that can be left behind. Think about what you really need to take, leave what you can at home. This goes a long way towards keeping beach pollution to a minimum.
2. Put your lunch in reusable containers.
Reusable containers are the greatest choice for carrying food to the beach, or anywhere for that matter. Remember that disposable containers are going to end up in nearby bins, which are often a prime target for seagulls. Quite often, if the local wildlife targets a bin, the rubbish is going to end up on the floor and have a greater chance of blowing into the water. Bring a reusable water bottle too.
3. Make use of environmentally friendly sunscreen
The chemical Oxybenzone is harmful to oceans and marine life. In tropical waters, it accelerates the coral bleaching effect and even destroys young coral reefs. By no means are we advocating that people cease using sunscreen, it’s important to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. However, taking some time to understand the components of the sunscreen you use is crucial. Avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone and seek natural sunscreens that are eco-friendly. while also benefiting the environment, protect your skin! Check our Instagram post where we give you some eco-friendly sunscreen options.
4. Don’t Collect Shells
Shells are essential to beaches because they anchor seagrass, strengthen beaches, and give creatures a place to live and hide. The removal of shells alters the ecology and has detrimental effects including erosion and a decline in the number of creatures that depend on the shells. Take a photo of the shells rather than bringing them home as souvenirs! Tag us in your best shell pictures using @startleavingalegacy.
5. Sustainable Beach Toys
Kids love to play in the sand, and using toys makes constructing sand castles more enjoyable! Unfortunately, beach toys occasionally disappear in the sand or float off into the ocean. When this occurs, using environmentally friendly beach toys like Zoe B Fantastic Beach Toys can help lessen the damage. These toys degrade within two to three years and are biodegradable. They are also non-toxic and suitable for youngsters.
6. Make clean-ups fun
Games are a great way to engage children at the beach, after all, kids don’t want to be lying around doing anything, they have the energy to burn! Creating some fun games that help clean the beach is a great way of keeping kids entertained and helps to leave the beach in a better state than when you found it. Play games like whoever collects the most amount of plastic win a treat (although it’s nice to reward everyone at the end of the game, for their efforts). Bring a bag to collect the items collected and dispose of them correctly.
7. When taking a shower outside, avoid using bath products.
Typically, the water from outdoor showers flows directly into the water body without being filtered. Your shampoo and soap’s chemicals will poison the water. It’s advisable to avoid using any products because this will hurt the animals.
8. Respect All Signs
You and the environment are protected by the signs at the beach! Keep off dunes signs are there because dunes provide a habitat for various plants and animals. You harm their ecosystem if you stroll on the dune. To prevent inflicting any harm, stay on designated pathways.
9. Animals should not be touched or fed.
Allow wild creatures to roam freely! Try your best not to bother them while you are at the beach because this is their home and you are just visiting. Don’t feed any animals, as well. Although persistent, seagulls should not be fed. Seagulls are drawn to beaches where they are fed, leaving trash and bothering other beachgoers when they return. An increase in hazardous bacteria that affect the beach is brought on by an increase in animal waste. Additionally, eating human food can make animals ill and harm nature.
One of the greatest summertime activities is visiting the beach! Follow these recommendations while you’re there to preserve the environment and keep beaches safe, attractive, and healthy so that we may continue to enjoy them. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and receive our monthly climate round-up. Our round-up includes positive climate stories to inspire, key resources for social action, plus funding and operational updates for our projects.
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