How to reduce your waste this summer

by CodeKiwi Collaborator

Sun, sand and surf. That’s what summer is all about, right? Summertime means getting out of the house, spending days by the beach, and catching up with family and friends. This time of year can mean long days of adventuring for some of us, while others tend to spend their time relaxing. Whatever it is you love to do in summer, there’s no denying that this time of year causes a lot of waste - plastic waste in particular.

Unfortunately, certain plastics take well over 500 years to dissolve, while 80% of it is not even recycled to begin with. The majority of the time, plastic ends up in landfill or polluting our oceans and harming our marine life. While it may seem convenient in summer, the impact of all that waste is devastating on the environment. We want to bring you our best tips and advice for reducing your waste this summer and minimising your ecological impact!


Beach days

Summer and the beach are synonymous and there’s nothing better than spending a hot day by the ocean. Unfortunately, beach days tend to produce *massive* amounts of waste. From plastic water bottles to food wrapping to plastic bags, one day at the beach can have a big impact on the environment.

It’s all about packing smarter and reducing your waste where possible. Try bringing reusable bottles instead of plastic ones, such as our Kappi Stainless Steel Water Bottles. They keep your water cool and plastic-free! We also love to pack our snacks in our Kappi Reusable Silicone Ziplock Bags. Plastic ziplock bags are unfortunately a summer staple in a lot of households, so why not invest in some high quality reusable ones? No plastic involved. Simply bring them home, wash them and you’re good to go for the next beach day!

If you are bringing food that requires a container, pack it in a reusable one instead of plastic. It’s also cheaper and healthier to pack your own fresh homemade food, instead of purchasing something that comes in a packet or is wrapped in plastic!

It's also really important to make sure you're not leaving any chemicals from your sunscreen in the ocean when you go for a swim. Did you know that regular sunscreens are now known to kill corals, build up in marine mammal tissues and wreak havoc on ocean ecosystems? If you haven't already, read our blog post here on why a Reef Safe Sunscreen is so important to use when you're going to the beach. 


Camping trips

Camping is a beloved activity for many families, but can really produce so much unnecessary waste. When it comes to camping gear, it is much better to invest in quality tents, tarps and bedding to ensure they will be with you for many trips to come. This will eliminate the need to replace everything each year and reduce the waste that you produce. 

When it comes to camping essentials, we love our Kappi Eco Bamboo Toothbrushes and Reusable Safety Razors. The amount of plastic toothbrushes and razors that are thrown out each year is astounding and while it can be tempting to use them when camping, the dangerous impact they have on our beautiful planet cannot be ignored. Our eco-friendly toothbrushes come with a handle that is biodegradable and compostable, while our razors are made to last for many years to come!


BBQs

A backyard barbeque surrounded by family and friends is a summer staple. However, when it comes to these get-togethers, they are often surrounded by plastic plates, utensils, cups, and a whole host of other types of waste. To cut down on this, try investing in some reusable plates and utensils. Our Kappi Bamboo Cutlery Set is perfect for bringing along to BBQs and ensures you’ll never need plastic knives and forks again. 

Bringing along a salad or cooked vegetables? Instead of covering your bowls with plastic wrapping, try our Kappi Reusable Silicone Stretch Lids. They will keep all your food fresh and massively cut down on your plastic waste!

Summer is all about enjoying some time with family and friends and spending your days doing what you love most. While it can lead to so much waste being produced, it is up to us to make a change.

These seemingly simple swaps and hacks can have a *huge* impact and we want to really encourage you to check your waste habits this summer. Make better choices, play your part, and have a great summer!


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.