Summer Is Almost Over but There's Still Time to Throw in a Little Eco

Are you considering adding a little eco to your last bit of summer fun but you’re worried it will be too difficult or time consuming?

You forget about those worries because going eco can be easier than you ever imagined.

Here are some easy eco summer tips that anyone can do:

Support local farmers. If you don’t have a green thumb or if you want a larger selection than what you can grow visit local Farmer’s Markets and roadside veggie stands. Even if the produce isn’t organic, shopping local is far greener than buying produce that’s been grown and shipped from hundreds and thousands of miles away. Plus you are supporting the local economy.

Visit LocalHarvest.org to find markets near you.

Shop Green. One of the things I love most about summer is all of the garage sales, flea markets, and yard sales. I love “treasure hunting” for amazing steals, deals and unique finds. Not only can you find toys and clothes for the kids you can even find some amazing items to decorate your home, yard and garden- especially if you know how to refinish furniture or craftily upcycle items that may need a little TLC.

Why is shopping this way green? Because it’s all used and pre-owned items- no new materials are used to make them and once again it’s a great way to support the local economy.

Party Green. Summer is filled with backyard BBQs, cookouts, picnics, and parties – and the last thing you want to deal with is a sink full of dishes after a big get together. But filling the garage bin with plastic cups, plates and silverware isn’t very eco.

Good thing there are many eco options now when it comes to eco friendly yet disposable tableware. The key thing for maximum eco-effectiveness though is that the eco-tableware should be composted so it biodegrades faster- the way it was meant to. If it isn’t possible to compost the disposables- it is still greener to have used eco-versions instead of plastic and Styrofoam- neither is very eco.

There’s a wealth of places online where you can stock up on eco-goods. BambuHome.com, Verterra.com, EcoWareProducts.com, EarthenTrading.ca, Birchaware.com, GreenPartyGoods.com, and GreenPlanetParties.com all offer different types of eco-party and tableware supplies: plates, bowls, napkins, eco “silverware”, cups, and tablecloths made from eco-friendly, sustainable, recycled or recyclable materials.

Have a local green vacation- or even better a staycation. By staying local you support the local economy and save on travel expenses and carbon emissions- both very green things to do.

Another great green option is having a “staycation”. You can pitch a tent in your own backyard and have a campout with the kids without ever going anywhere. You can also explore local attractions that you may not have visited before- or at least haven’t visited in awhile.

And don’t forget there’s always a festival or carnival going on throughout the summer- be sure to include a few of those in your local summer fun.

Summer Vacation Tips from Jodi Helmer

Jodi Helmer, author of The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference, offers tips for green summer vacations.

The final school bell has rung, the sun is shining and temperatures are rising, which all add up to just one thing: summer vacation.

This summer, keep the environment in mind when making summer travel plans. It is possible to have a memorable beach vacation without harming the planet.

Jodi Helmer, author of The Green Year, offers the following tips for greening your summer vacation:

* Reserve a room at a “green” hotel: The Green Hotels Association (http://www.greenhotels.com/) has a list of hotels in every state that have implemented programs to conserve resources and reduce waste. During check-in, request that sheets and towels be changed only if they’re left on the floor and leave a note for the housekeeping staff asking that the air conditioning be turned off when you’re not in the room.

* Planes, trains or automobiles? Make the right choice: Carpooling in a fuel-efficient vehicle has the least impact on the environment (ask car rental companies about hybrid vehicles). On longer trips, consider taking the train instead of flying. A transcontinental flight generates 2.5 tons of carbon dioxide emissions; train travel creates between 4 and 15 percent of the CO2 emissions (depending on the length of the trip). Bonus: You can avoid long lines at the airport and get a glimpse of parts of the country you could never see from the air.

* Pack light: Excess weight in the trunk of the car (or in the cargo hold on the plane) will decrease your gas mileage. In the car, every 100 pounds of cargo decreases fuel efficiency by 2 percent. It might not sound like much but it adds up on a round-trip to the beach, so only pack the essentials.

* Slather on biodegradable sunscreen: Sunscreen is essential for summer vacation but the same ingredients that help protect against UV exposure might be harming marine life. Scientists have found a link between dying coral reefs and the estimated 6,000 tons of sunscreen that wash off of swimmers every year. Biodegradable sunscreens are made with ingredients that break down in seawater and won’t harm marine life.

The Green Year (December 2008, $14.95, ISBN: 9781592578290, Alpha Books), provides 365 simple and inexpensive eco-friendly ideas for each day of the year. Organized by date, the green living tips suggest small changes and environmentally friendly ideas that make a big green impact.

The Green Year is more than a calendar. It offers practical, affordable and engaging activities that help make going green a blessing rather than a burden.

Author Jodi Helmer is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about eco-friendly topics. Her work has appeared in Plenty, Yoga Journal, Women's Health, Natural Solutions, Backpacker, Woman's Day, Family Circle and American Way. She is the co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Careers and a professional speaker who offers workshops on green issues. Helmer also maintains a website, www.green-year.com. She lives in Charlotte, NC.