Being Green At The Beach

Some of my favorite memories as a child are on the beach. Every summer we would pack a picnic, a few toys, some serious sunscreen (there is a lot of pale skin in our family), and take off to Galveston beach for the day. There is nothing like a day of playing in the sand and the waves under the warm summer sun with friends and family.

The ocean environment we all cherish is being contaminated everyday by oil spills, litter, and other various pollutants that destroy plant life and countless species that inhabit the ocean. The list of sea creatures that are endangered is growing in numbers, with innocent creatures washing up on the shores drenched in oil, all because of human error and irresponsibility. Plastic bottles float in a formation the size of an island. It's all quite sad, but collectively I believe we can make a difference just by going about our business as usual but making some greener choices.

Here are some great ways to be eco-friendly at the beach:

Leave the plants and wildlife alone. While it is tempting to examine some of the fascinating creatures of the ocean a bit more closely it is best to leave them be. Remember, you are a visitor and that is their home.

Keep off the dunes! You know those bridges or walkovers with steps leading to the beach? They have been built there to keep people off of the dunes that can be worn down over time by foot traffic. The dunes are a natural defense for the land against storm waves that also help reduce erosion.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. This mantra applies to any part of leading a greener life but it shouldn't stop when you go to the beach. If we are litter our precious beaches there will be nothing left to enjoy and all of that fascinating sea life will be gone.

Bring reusable items: Cups, cutlery, cloth napkins, etc. Don't bring glass or plastic bottled items. Instead bring a thermos with your favorite summer time beverage.

If you must use disposable items, use recycled plastic items.

Take this a step further and only purchase recycled plastic beach furniture. Adirondack chairs, one of the most relaxing chairs to sit in by the beach, now come in recycled plastic. The recycled plastic is better than wood and made of post consumer plastic waste. They come in many fun colors, and styles, and are very portable. You can get just about any style of patio and Adirondack furniture.

Dispose of all trash in the designated trash bins on the beach. Litter gets carried out into the ocean, corrupting an already vulnerable ocean environment. If you there are no trash bins in sight, take your trash home with you. Be sure to recycle when you get home!

Also, if you see trash go ahead it doesn't hurt to pick it up. While it is frustrating to pick up other negligent peoples trash consider your efforts beneficial for the greater good. Take it a step further by becoming proactive in your community. Join a beach clean-up group, and if you don't live near a beach try a river or lake conservation group.

Always cut up any trash that our little ocean and beach dwelling friends like turtles, seals, dolphins, and fish can get tangled up in like six pack holders.

The ocean is not your bathroom so when you need to go, use a public restroom. This goes for man's best friend, too. While he can't go to a public restroom you can certainly bring biodegradable doggy poo bags and make sure to pick up and dispose of his waste.

Wear eco-friendly swimwear. For little ones, use re-usable cloth swim diapers. Look for eco-friendly swimwear for grown ups made of recycled plastic bottles, organic cotton, and bamboo. You can also buy eco-friendly flip-flops.

Protect your skin with natural sunscreens that will not pollute the water. You would be surprised how many sunscreen brands are toxic to ocean environments, lakes, and rivers. Soleo Organics offers one of the top rated sunscreens and it is also great for sensitive skin.

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