Believe it or not, Labor Day is around the corner. It’s the unofficial end of the summer and a great time to kick off some new eco-friendly routines. Check out our favorite tips for enjoying the long holiday weekend with the environment in mind.
Follow the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
During your hikes, trips to the beach, or backyard barbecues, choose reusable dishes and cutlery. If single-use is your choice, be sure to dispose of these items responsibly and recycle what you can. When visiting public spaces, carry out any items you carried in and if there are no trash or recycling bins nearby, bring your items home to dispose of them later.
>>Visit berecycled.org to learn how to properly dispose of your recyclables.
Stay local
Many travelers usually use Labor Day to get in the last of their summer getaways. Perhaps this year, try staying local and exploring your community. The good news is that staying local can help you reduce your carbon footprint. If you do plan to take a road trip, consider carpooling.
Get plogging
No matter where you live, you can join the global movement to plog for our planet. In case you haven’t heard, plogging is the combination of picking up litter while jogging, and it’s a fun activity for all ages. This weekend, give plogging a try. Every action, even if you just pick up 5 pieces of litter, contributes to a cleaner and safer community environment.
>>Click HERE to learn how to safely plog in your community.
Minimize energy consumption
If you’re hosting a gathering at home, make energy-conscious choices. Use energy-efficient lighting, limit air conditioning use, and unplug electronics when they’re not in use. Consider hosting a daytime event to make the most of natural lighting.
Leave no trace
Whether you’re hiking and exploring trails, fitting in another beach trip, or having a picnic in a park, we can all do our part to keep the environment clean and free of litter. We remind everyone to carry out what you carried in — even if that means bringing your trash home with you. Here are seven principles to follow from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: plan ahead and prepare; travel and camp on durable surfaces; dispose of waste properly; leave what you find; minimize campfire impacts; respect wildlife; be considerate of others.
>>END LITTER across America: Learn how you can help in your community.
About Keep America Beautiful®:
Keep America Beautiful®, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful® strives to End Littering, Improve Recycling, and Beautify America’s Communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green, and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision. The organization is driven by the work and passion of 700 Keep America Beautiful® affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the collaborative support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
McCall Vrydaghs
Keep America Beautiful®