Make Your Summertime Green – Inside and Out
The summer months are chock full of opportunities to go green.  From how you get to and from seasonal attractions to warm weather get-togethers, here are some simple ways to make your summer activities eco-friendly.

Traveling

• Warm temperatures make green transportation even easier.  Ride your bike or walk instead of driving on a beautiful day.
• If you go on a trip, consider driving or taking a train, which creates less carbon emissions than a plane. 
• When planning your vacation, consider eco-friendly hotels that use solar and wind power.  And maybe rent a hybrid vehicle!

Planting garden your

• Plants provide food and oxygen to all sorts of creatures, so make sure you have fun gardening this summer.  Plant a tree or grow your own organic vegetables using compost you’ve made. 
• Start that compost pile right after you start your day with a pot of coffee. Those leftover grounds are a great way to begin composting. Do an Internet search for ideas on how, what, when and where to compost so you can cut down on the use of chemical pesticides and inorganic fertilizers.

Parties and barbeques 

• Summer means picnics and outdoor feasts, so remember to supply separate containers for garbage and glass, plastic, and aluminum recyclables. 
• Reuse your cardboard milk or juice containers by making them into ice packs for coolers and beverage containers. 
• When barbequing, use propane instead of wood or charcoal; it is much cleaner and better for the environment. 
• When cleaning your barbeque, or after any event you host, use natural and organic cleaning products.
• Use reusable silverware and dishes as often as possible.  If you have to use disposables, make sure you can put them in your compost.

Shopping 

• When stocking up on your favorite hot-weather foods and beverages, remember to bring along your reusable bag(s).  These bags are almost always made from recycled products and prevent tons of unnecessary paper and plastic waste.
• When buying food for your summer festivities, try to buy locally.  If it isn’t trucked in from across the country, you’re saving energy and reducing emissions.

Summer is so much fun, and by following these tips, you can enjoy all the excitement of the season – and reduce your carbon footprint.