8 Tips for a Low Waste Summer

by Ushma Pandya, Co-Founder & Partner at Think Zero LLC

From long afternoons on the beach and dinners on the patio, summer is a near-perfect season. It’s also one that can come with a glut of hidden waste. With a few meaningful adjustments, however, it’s easy to soak in the rays without contributing to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. With the excellent weather giving us the perfect opportunity to try new green-minded habits, here are eight family-friendly ways to keep things eco-conscious all the way to autumn. Remember that starting small is a great way to establish new habits.

Slather on coral-approved sunscreen

Before you hit the waves, check that your sunscreen doesn’t contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate that bleach coral reefs and harm marine life. The good news? Harmful sunscreens are easy to avoid—without sacrificing essential UVA and UVB blocking properties. There’s a growing number of mineral-based “reef friendly” brands on the market at different price points, some of which come in reusable packaging. We’re big fans of Blue Lizard, Badger, Thrive Natural, and All Good. 

Mind your plastic

A 2023 study on beachside microplastics found that plastic bags and packaging, textiles from beach umbrellas, and tourist clothing were major sources of microplastic particles in marine environments near beaches. Curb your contribution by packing snacks in reusable packaging and bringing reusable cups and plates to use for your beach picnic.  

Since preventing plastic waste always starts with removing your part in generating it, borrow or rent umbrellas and chairs instead of buying new if you go only occasionally to the beach.  Ask on your local Buy Nothing group or community group to see who has something to share or sell. 

And one of my favorites is to ask for ice cream in a cone instead of a cup to reduce waste.   There area  few ice cream stores who give tastes in reusable spoons so prioritize patronizing those stores and applauding their efforts in store and online!

Do your part

Beaches are full of trash. A quick 30 minutes spent picking it up can teach kids about environmental responsibility, and how easy it is to make a small difference in a short amount of time.  When I am at the beach, I pick up garbage along my walk and it helps if I bring along a bag.  I don’t always have gloves so I use my judgement on what to pick up or I use my bag as a covering.

For a more organized cleanup, check out Surfrider Foundation, which hosts volunteer cleanups along the West, East, Gulf, Great Lakes, Hawaiian and Puerto Rican Coasts. Trash collected during these

cleanups even contributes to pollution research and reports.  Or you can organize your own.  

Take advantage of Starbucks’ reusable cup discount (or at your local coffee shop)

Starbucks has cornered the market on fun summer drinks, but the company is also a major plastic waste producer. Efforts to scale back this waste include offering customers who bring their own cup a $0.10 discount—plus a 25-star bonus for members. Last year, the company integrated this program into drive-thru and mobile orders, making it easier than ever to keep it waste-free. In other words: Don’t order a strawberry refresher without your cup in tow.  I told my kids that they can only order those drinks if they have a reusable cup and so they are always grabbing their cup when we leave the house on a hot summer day.  

You can also advocate for reusable cup programs at your local coffee shop. Ask to speak to the manager and see what it would take operationally to develop and implement such a program. There are many programs in place now that you can show as inspiration and a nudge. This link has some great resources to help cafes set up their own programs.

Rethink the lemonade stand

If your kids want to run the classic summertime sales booth, they should take a page out of Starbucks’ book and offer a discount to people who bring their own reusable cups. You can also try out different reusable alternatives, like serving neighborhood customers in mason jars they can return instead of plastic cups.

We have done this lemonade stand with success.  Our signs advertise that it is a “bring your own cup” or “stand and drink with us” lemonade stand.  The upside of stand and drink with us is that my kids have to figure out how to have a conversation!    It also starts a conversation on the single use versus reusable options.  

Compost the leftovers from your summer harvest

Summer fruits and vegetables are some of the best parts of the season. If you’re new to composting, this is a great season to start. Find your local compost facility or pickup service and create a dedicated bin for peelings, stems, pits, rinds, and other organic waste. A small bathroom trash can works great for this.

Collect that summer rain

Afternoon rainstorms in August aren’t just soothing. Put out a few of those Home Depot buckets collecting dust in the garage, and those rainstorms will give you a reservoir perfect for watering indoor and outdoor plants. Just make sure to water your garden with the rainwater you collect in the morning before the sun can take it back.

Enjoy the season outdoors

Taking advantage of summer can be a green activity in and of itself. Biking and walking instead of driving is good for the planet, but it’s also genuinely fun. Drying your clothes on the line saves energy, but it also makes your clothes smell and feel great. A trip to the farmer’s market (with your own reusable bags) shortens the distance between you and the people who grow your food, but it’s also a wonderful Sunday activity. Done right, a low waste summer has all the makings of a great summer—for you, your family, and the planet.

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