How To Make Your Beach Trip Ocean-Friendly

Summer is finally here! Vacationers and locals alike will flock to oceans and lakes for some fun in the sun. As always, an increased amount of visitors on the beach means more waste and a larger strain on resources. If you want to be more mindful of your impact this year, here are five ways you can make your travel more environmentally friendly.

Limit Single-Use Plastics

By now, most of us recognize that single-use plastic is wasteful, but did you know it's also dangerous? After one use, these plastics are usually discarded improperly and end up back in the environment. Plastics can clog up water systems, get into our drinking water, and harm wildlife nearby. Instead of bringing one-and-done plastic baggies for food and plastic drink bottles, opt for reusable or compostable food storage bags and bring along a reusable bottle to hold your beverages.

Reef Safe Sunscreen

Toxic chemicals found in sunscreens are one of the main causes in coral reef bleaching and are a threat to marine life. Two of the most dangerous ingredients, oxybenzone and octinoxate, are common in popular sunscreen brands. Many travel destinations, like Hawaii, Aruba, and Key West, have banned those ingredients on their islands. 

Choosing brands that mark themselves as “reef-safe” isn’t always enough, as regulations in the US are limited. Educate yourself on ingredients and look for sunscreens that don’t include these harmful chemicals.

Rentable Beach Gear

Unless you’re a frequent visitor, it may not make sense to go out and buy brand new beach gear. Many high-traffic travel destinations offer services to rent items for your beach day. You can rent things like beach chairs, umbrellas, toys and even swim gear. Not only will this cut the potential for the items to become single-use, but renting is often a fraction of the cost to buy, so you’ll save a few bucks, too. 

Clean Up The Beach

While you’re taking your beach walk or combing for shells, make a point to clean up any trash or discarded beach gear along the way. This is a fantastic way to offset your own visit’s impact and do something nice for the community you’re visiting. You can get the whole family involved by making a game or competition out of it. 

Choose Brands That Focus on Conservation

Put your money where your mouth is. Be mindful of the ethics and environmental practices of every brand you support. Research materials and ingredients. Explore company websites for statements on environmental priorities. Be weary of brands that scream fast-fashion or overproduction.

Originally published on Medium.