When it comes to preserving our natural resources, simple acts can make a big difference. In honor of National Random Act of Kindness Day, we’ve gathered up some things you can do that are totally free and help the environment. So, what are you waiting for?
Become a cleanup warrior
A beach cleanup gives you instant gratification, and it’s a ton of fun. Gather a group of friends and commit to picking up trash from the beach. A couple of tips to get you started: Wear closed-toed shoes, not sandals, so you don’t step on any unwelcome surprises. Bring extra supplies in case you recruit others to help you along the way – like trash grabbers, rakes, bags, gloves and plenty of water. Lastly, have fun! It’s your very own eco-friendly beach party.
Reduce, recycle and reuse (in that order)
A shocking amount of plastic ends up in our waters – so much that experts say the Great Pacific Garbage Patch contains more than 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic. For comparison, the plastic alone weighs the equivalent of 500 jumbo jets. One small step you can take for yourself (and get friends involved too) is to switch from plastic bags to reusable canvas. Now, what you do with all those extra bags? Recycle them! There are plenty of recycling centers that collect plastic bags and give them a new and longer life as crates, containers or even new bags.
Don’t be a scrapper
Believe it or not, one of the bigger pollutants in the world comes from the textile industry. It has to do with carbon emissions and chemicals that impact bodies of water, according to the NRDC. Here’s how you can make a difference: Don’t feed into “fast fashion” by junking your old clothes in order to buy new ones. Set up a clothing swap among your friends – after all, one person’s heap is another person’s brand-new wardrobe. There are also programs in various cities that will collect your old clothes and either donate them to secondhand shops or repurpose them into items like rags and insulation.
Spend time, not money, on an act of kindness and help save the planet while you’re at it! If a beach cleanup is your choice of kindness, check out our all-inclusive deals for a place to stay after spending your days helping the planet.
