Summer is a time for new adventures, hobbies, and experiences, but it doesn’t have to come at the expense of your wallet or the environment. You don’t need new gear or new clothes, you just need to dig around to see what you already have and get creative.
Whether you’re planning road trips, backyard hangs, or trying a new hobby, small choices can make a big impact. Enjoy everything summer has to offer while keeping things simple, affordable, and eco-friendly.
5 Ways to Make Your Summer More Sustainable
1) Use What You Have This summer, go through your storage boxes and see what you’ve got hidden away for this year’s adventures. Whether it’s old camping gear, picnic supplies, or bikes, you can create a summer bucket list with friends and family using what you already have.
2) Borrow Summer’s the perfect time to try new things, but rather than buying new supplies for a hobby, challenge yourself to see what you can borrow. Whether that be tents, paddle boards, coolers, or power tools for some home renos, it’s a great way to try something new without having to buy something that’ll sit around in storage once summer’s over.
Did you know? You can borrow a wide variety of items at your local library, not just books. This includes musical instruments, microphones, and camera equipment, all of which are perfect for those looking to start a new hobby.
3) Thrift If all else fails, check your local thrift stores. It’s the perfect place to find supplies for hobbies that’ll keep you and your family occupied. Whether it’s repurposing a piece of fabric for a new project or finding new trinkets for home decor, it’s a great place that has just about everything you’re looking for.
4) Get Rid of Convenient Habits We all prioritize convenience, especially when traveling, but try to make at least one sustainable swap this summer. This can look like packing a reusable tote bag, carrying your favorite reusable water bottle, or bringing food containers for leftovers. It may seem small, but even just one simple swap can make a big difference.
Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world. – Howard Zinn.
5) Prioritize Slow Weekends Between the summer roadtrips, traveling, and activities, it’s important to prioritize slow weekends. This means less driving, more time in nature, fewer impulse purchases, and taking advantage of free local activities.
This summer, challenge yourself and others to make mindful swaps. Get creative with what you have and focus on making memories without the constant need to consume or buy more. What’s one sustainable habit or swap will you try this summer? I’d love to know!
RELATED POST: 7 Easy Ways to Travel Sustainably This Summer
This is such a resourceful post Winnie. I know I’ve bought a new item in the past for camping (many years ago) and decided it wasn’t for me but why I didn’t think to borrow or buy from a thrift store? I give away or donate these items in hopes that others can be smart and buy near new items more frugally.