In the excitement of summer, it can be really easy to forget to act in a sustainable way. Sadly, summer can have a lot of negative effects on the environment, so it’s even more important to take care of the planet. But you can still have fun while doing it!

At ForHousing, we’re sharing our top tips to be eco-friendly this summer in an easy and affordable way.

Stay away from single-use dining sets

It can be so tempting to grab single-use, throw-away plastic cutlery, or paper plates when you’re eating outside in summer. This can be really bad for the environment, as when these items have food on they can’t be recycled. Try to use your everyday dining sets when you can – it’s cheaper, too!

Re-use your paddling pool water

Paddling pools are a great way to cool down in the summer heat, but at the end of the day, there can be a lot of water waste. Why not put it to good use? Your paddling pool water can be used to water your plants, which saves you money and helps the planet.

Grab a reusable water bottle

It’s super important to stay hydrated in the summer heat, but single-use plastic bottles are bad for the environment. By using a refillable water bottle, you can keep refreshed all day – and it’s cheaper! You can also fill it up with juice or add some lemon or mint to your water for a delicious change.

Put a jug of water in the fridge

Instead of waiting for the tap to become cold when you want a drink, fill up a jug and leave it in your fridge. This means you save water, which is extra important in summer. It also means you don’t have to wait every time you want cold water, as you already have some ready.

Turn the lights off

With the sun being out most of the day, you can save lots of energy by leaving your light switches off. With the cost of living going up, this can also save you a lot of money. Natural light is great for your health too, boosting your vitamin D.

Carry a reusable shopping bag

Lots of supermarkets now offer reusable shopping bags, which is much cheaper than buying a new one every time you go to the shop. It also cuts down on plastic usage, which is better for the planet. You could also use a backpack or tote bag for your shopping, which might be easier to carry.

Walk more places

As the weather is so nice outside, it’s a great opportunity to ditch the car or public transport and get walking! Whenever you can make the swap to walking, you’re helping the planet and yourself by reducing carbon emissions and getting exercise.

We hope you can use our top tips to have a fun and sustainable summer. If we all make small changes, we can help our planet for the future.

For eco-friendly living tips, climate updates and much more, follow us on social media @ForHousing.