By Sammy Travis of sammytravis.com, a writer, graphic designer, and beach dweller with a passion for beach and ocean sustainability.
Summertime is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the beautiful beaches across our country. However, if you’re looking to have a sustainable beach trip, it’s important to be conscious of how your actions can impact the environment. In this article, we’ll provide tips on how to have an eco-friendly beach vacation and help preserve our oceans!
Sustainability is essential to protect our planet and its finite resources, which is why sustainable practices are more important than ever before. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to make your beach trip sustainable! I keep these tips near and dear to my heart here in Gulf Shores. Here are a few tips to get you started.
How can beaches be sustainable?
Beaches are sustainable when the amount of resources used does not exceed the number of resources available. This means that sustainable beaches are able to meet the current needs of beachgoers without compromising the ability of future generations to enjoy the beach. There are a number of ways to make sure your next beach trip is sustainable that we cover in this article.
Why is it important to be sustainable at the beach?
It’s important to be sustainable at the beach for a number of reasons. First and foremost, sustainable practices help to preserve our oceans and beaches for future generations. Additionally, sustainable beaches are typically less crowded and have less pollution. This results in a more enjoyable experience for everyone!
Sustainability at the beach is essential to protect our planet and its finite resources, which is why sustainable practices are more important than ever before. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to make your beach trip sustainable!
How can you be sustainable on a beach trip?
Packing sustainable snacks, bringing a reusable water bottle, and avoiding plastic straws are all great ways to be sustainable on a beach trip! You can also help preserve the beach environment by disposing of your trash properly and respecting wildlife. By following these tips below, you will have a significant impact on the preservation of our beautiful beaches. Eco-Friendly Beach Vacations
15 Tips for a Sustainable Beach Trip
Here are my 15 tips for how to vacation at the beach in a sustainable way. Use these 15 sustainable beach trip tips when you are planning your next beach vacation!
Leave Only Footprints
The first step to having a sustainable beach trip is to leave only footprints. This means that you should take everything that you bring with you when you leave. This includes all of your trash! Make sure to dispose of your trash in the proper receptacles so that it doesn’t end up polluting the beach. You should also avoid leaving behind any food or attractants that could draw wildlife to the area.
Leaving only footprints is the first and most important step to having a sustainable beach trip. This means that you should take everything that you bring with you when you leave, including all of your trash! Make sure to dispose of your trash in the proper receptacles so it doesn’t end up polluting the beach.
Take Only Photos
Another way to be sustainable at the beach is to take only photos. This means that you should refrain from taking anything from the beach with you. This includes shells, rocks, and driftwood. Taking things from the beach can disrupt the natural ecosystem and harm local wildlife.
Taking only photos is a great way to be sustainable at the beach! Just remember, refrain from taking anything from the beach with you including but not limited to: shells, rocks, driftwood, sand dollars, and any other pieces of marine habitat or wildlife.
Locals like myself love taking pictures of other families visiting when we are asked!
Avoid Single-Use Plastic
One of the easiest ways to be sustainable on a beach trip is to avoid single-use plastic. This includes items such as straws, water bottles, and grocery bags. Bring a reusable water bottle so that you don’t have to buy disposable ones at the beach. You can also bring your own reusable straws and grocery bags. If you do use single-use plastic, make sure to recycle it properly!
Opt for Plastic-Free Snacks
Packing sustainable snacks is a great way to be eco-friendly on a beach trip! Avoid packing snacks that come in single-use plastic packaging. Instead, opt for plastic-free snacks such as fruits and nuts. This will help to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean.
Platic-free snacks include fruits, nuts, dried fruit, and vegetables. If you do choose to bring snacks that must be concealed, opt for reusable bags instead of single-use plastic bags.
Bring a Reusable Beach Bag
A reusable beach bag is a must-have for a sustainable beach trip! This will help you to avoid using single-use plastic bags when you are at the beach. You can find reusable beach bags made from sustainable materials such as bamboo or organic cotton. Reusable beach bags are a great way to avoid bringing more plastic to the beach, and they can also be an excuse to get a cute reusable tote to bring on all of your beach trips to come!
Bring Reusable Waterbottles
As we mentioned before, it’s important to avoid single-use plastic water bottles when you’re at the beach. Bring a reusable water bottle so that you can stay hydrated without harming the environment. There are a number of great sustainable water bottles on the market that will keep your drinks cold for hours!
Reusable water bottles can be incredibly helpful not only at the beach but in everyday life as well. sustainable water bottles help reduce the number of plastic water bottles that end up in landfills and pollute our oceans.
Avoid Plastic Straws
Plastic straws are one of the most common forms of plastic pollution. They can end up harming local wildlife if they’re not disposed of properly. Avoid using straws altogether or bring your own reusable straws with you. This is a great way to be sustainable on a beach trip!
If you visit a local coffee shop that offers plastic straws, refrain from using one and tell the barista that you don’t need a straw. Many sustainable coffee shops are now using sustainable practices such as using reusable cups and offering plastic-free straws.
Always Bring a Garbage Bag
Proper waste disposal is essential for sustainable beaches. This means disposing of all trash, cigarettes, and food properly. Cigarette butts are one of the most common forms of beach pollution, so be sure to dispose of them in the proper receptacles. You can also help reduce beach pollution by bringing a reusable water bottle and avoiding plastic straws. Bringing your own garbage bag will ensure that your waste is properly disposed of in addition to the other pieces of trash that may have been left behind by others.
Bringing a sealed trash bag is also a great way to avoid the wind blowing your trash around and potentially polluting the beach and the ocean. You can help to reduce the amount of pollution that ends up in our oceans. These tips are easy to follow and will make a big difference in the health of our planet!
Wear Eco-Friendly, Reef Safe Sunscreen
One of the most important sustainable beach tips is to wear eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen. Traditional sunscreens contain harmful chemicals that can damage the environment. These chemicals can end up in the ocean and harm local wildlife. Wearing eco-friendly sunscreen will help to protect the environment and keep you safe from the sun!
Mineral sunscreen is a great option that is eco-friendly and reef safe. Another sustainable beach tip is to make sure you’re wearing the right sunscreen for your skin type. This will help to ensure that you’re getting the most sun protection possible!
Make Sunscreen Sustainable
When packing sunscreen for your beach trip, make sure to choose a sustainable option! There are many eco-friendly sunscreens on the market that are made from sustainable ingredients. You can also make your own sustainable sunscreen at home with natural ingredients such as zinc, coconut oil, and shea butter.
Pack Light
Packing light is not only good for the environment, but it’s also good for your back! Avoid bringing unnecessary items with you on your beach trip. This will help to reduce the amount of waste that is produced and make your trip more sustainable.
Packing light is one of the easiest ways to ensure that you only leave footprints behind. This sustainable beach tip will help to reduce your carbon footprint and make your trip more eco-friendly.
Bring a Reusable Beach Towel
Beach towels are essential for a day at the beach. However, they can also create a lot of waste. Avoid using disposable towels and opt for a reusable beach towel instead. There are a number of great sustainable options on the market that are perfect for the beach!
There are many sustainably made beach towels on the market that are made from sustainable materials such as bamboo. Bamboo is a great sustainable material that is soft, absorbent, and durable. It’s also eco-friendly and biodegradable!
Flatten Sand Castles and Fill in Holes
If you’re building sand castles or playing in the sand, be sure to flatten them and fill in any holes before you leave. During turtle nesting season, this is an essential key to turtle survival. Flattening sand castles and filling in holes will help to prevent turtles from getting trapped.
Turtles lay their eggs in the sand and if there are any holes or depressions, the turtles may get stuck. By flattening sand castles and filling in holes, you’re helping to ensure that turtles can safely nest on the beach.
Respect Wildlife
Another key sustainable beach tip is to respect all wildlife. This means not disturbing nesting areas and avoiding contact with wild animals. It’s important to remember that we share the beach with a variety of different species and it’s vital that we do our part to protect them. If you see an animal in distress, contact a local wildlife organization for assistance.
Do Your Own Beach Clean Up
One way to ensure that the beach is sustainable for future generations is to do your own beach clean-up. This means picking up any trash that you see on the beach. You can also bring a bag with you to collect trash as you’re walking. By doing your part, you’ll be helping to keep the beach clean and sustainable!
Support Local Eco-Friendly Organizations
When you’re planning your sustainable beach trip, be sure to support local eco-friendly organizations. These organizations are working hard to protect the environment and they need our help! There are a number of great ways to support them, such as donating money or time. You can also look for eco-friendly products that are made by local businesses.
Often, you can support local businesses that highlight the beach you are visiting.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
You can help to reduce your carbon footprint by taking sustainable beach vacation tips. One way to do this is to take your bike to the beach. This will help to reduce the amount of emissions that are produced. You can also carpool with friends or family members who are going on the trip. Reducing your carbon footprint is one of the best ways to be sustainable!
Choose a Sustainable Beach Destination
When planning your sustainable beach trip, be sure to choose a sustainable beach destination! There are many sustainable beaches around the world that are committed to protecting the environment. These beaches often have programs in place to reduce pollution and protect wildlife. Do some research to find the perfect sustainable beach destination for your next trip!
I hope that you found these sustainable beach tips helpful! By following these tips, you’ll be helping to protect the environment and make your trip more sustainable. By following these tips, you can help make a difference and ensure that our beaches will be around for generations to come.
Do you have any sustainable beach tips that you would like to share? Let us know in the comments below! Thanks for reading! sustainable, eco-friendly, beach, trip, tips, vacation, sustainable living.
Now that you know how to have a sustainable beach trip, put these tips into action the next time you hit the sand! You’ll be doing your part to protect the environment and ensure that our beaches are around for generations to come. Thanks for reading this article by Sammy Travis!
About the Author
Sammy Travis is a graphic designer and digital creative. She has a passion for beach sustainability and uses her digital art as an avenue to raise awareness. Sammy publishes tutorials and insight weekly on her blog at sammytravis.com in addition to teaching fellow designers and illustrators on her website and Youtube channel.
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