Making small efforts to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle can actually save you money this summer, and inspire positive change in different areas of your daily life. Here are 5 ways to have some great, green summer fun!
Shop Local: Farmers Markets
Going to a farmers market isn’t only a fun summer activity. There are more to these markets than meets the eye. Produce at farmers markets are typically sold at lower prices than a supermarket, and three out of every four farmers say they use practices consistent with organic standards. By shopping at local farmers markets, you can be spending less to receive sustainably grown produce all while stimulating local economies and preserving America’s farmlands.
Beat the Heat: Close your Shades
You’d be surprised how much heat can come in through your windows. A good way to prevent running the air conditioning all day long is to close your shades on hot summer days. This is a natural way to provide shade to your home and save money on energy costs.
Two Words: Bike More!
One of the worst parts of summer is opening your car door to the intense wave of heat that has been trapped inside. Then, you slide onto your seat that can reach temperatures upwards of 180-200 degrees F, and nearly burn yourself on the metal seatbelt. How can we avoid this? Bike there! For trips within a few miles, biking there is a great way to leave the car at home altogether and save money on gas!
Use Reef Friendly Sunscreen
Believe it or not, island nations and states are beginning to ban beachgoers from wearing harmful sunscreens in the waters. When it comes to purchasing reef friendly sunscreen, checking the active ingredients is key. The big substances to look for are Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, parabens, and microplastics. If any of these are listed, put it back on the shelf. Here is an in-depth article from the Save the Reef charity project to learn more.
Doing your Part: Picking up Litter
A good motto to bring to your eco-friendly summer is to leave every space better than you found it. Something simple to include in your beach or hiking routine is bringing a trash bag and gloves with you. As you clean up after yourself, picking up litter even on a small scale makes a difference. Joining community beach clean-ups is also a weekend activity that can be fun and very rewarding!
Be safe in the heat this summer, and don’t forget that even small efforts to living a more eco-friendly lifestyle are worth it!
The Bike Boom of 2020 is still moving along in full force well into the summer of 2021. It made us wonder: When was the last time bicycling was this big in the US?
As a matter of fact, bikes haven’t been this popular since the early 1970s. To quote TIME Magazine from June 1971 (exactly 50 years ago), “Environmentalists are turning to the bike as a pollution solution; physical-fitness fans like the bike as a heart preserver. Groups of workers in some traffic-choked cities have been staging rush-hour races among car, bus, and bicycle, with the bike usually triumphant.”
It seems historically, people have always liked bikes for the same reasons. While our society may have changed, the trouble of the daily commute is one thing we are all too familiar with. However, even though America went bike-crazy all those years ago, the boom only went on for a few short years.
So, what happened to the bike boom of the 70s? By the time there were serious plans of bikeways and infrastructure being built throughout the country, it was all but too late. The Oil Crisis of ’73 had hit the economy hard, leaving bike sales cut in half. In turn, bikes were tucked away in garages, and plans for bikeways were abandoned. The four-year long boom ended in a bust.
There are tons of informative articles out there that go into detail about the Bike Boom of the ‘70s on sites like The Guardian, Forbes, and Curbed that are all well worth the read.
The main takeaway in our perspective is that the fate of the 2020 Bike Boom is in the hands of the transportation sector and urban planning departments all over the US. We have the tools, knowledge, and resources to watch this spike in bikes become more than a boom, but a way of life.
When choosing to decorate your office with indoor plants it’s all about the windows you’re working with. They really have the last word on which plants will thrive in your office, as they play a major role in the light and temperature of your space.
In A Nutshell
East-Facing Windows
These windows produce the brightest sunlight in the morning when the sun’s rays are not super strong. Windows facing the east are good for plants that require moderate sunlight or only a few hours of light a day.
Windows facing the west get the full sun of the afternoon and evening. In spring and summer, this light can be quite intense, making this directional window great for sun-loving indoor plants.
Ideal plants: Jade plant, English Ivy, Aloe Vera
South-Facing Windows
These will provide the brightest sunlight from morning to sundown. If your office has south-facing windows, be prepared to close your shades on especially hot summer days. Some plants that require direct sun may begin to get scorched in the heat, signaled by yellowing leaves, or burnt spots.
Ideal plants: String of Pearls, fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, or mint
North-Facing Windows or No Windows at all
There are many houseplants that thrive in little or indirect light. These will be your best friend in an office with north-facing windows, windows that are in the shade, or a space with no windows at all. Shade-loving plants will show you if they need a bit more sun through signals like leggy growth or leaning toward the closest source of light.
Ideal plants: Snake plant, Peace Lily, Pothos
Let an indoor plant purify the air in your office space as your transition from working from home. Watch as your coworkers marvel at the natural beauty on your desk!
Through the magic of Airbnb and rental sites, people stationed at home have discovered a way to work remotely from anywhere. Remote workers have learned a lot since March of 2020. We have had plenty of time to learn what works for us and what doesn’t when it comes to working from home.
Airbnb data has shown the volume of reviews by US guests mentioning “remote working” since the start of the pandemic has nearly tripled, and more people than ever are opting to bring their pets along with them. The length of stays has increased tremendously, too. People are booking locations for more than 28 days, and we can think of several reasons why.
Allowing yourself a new environment can be refreshing and much needed in a time of monotony and isolation. People are leaving their small, urban apartments and homes and giving themselves access to nature and experiences to balance their work-from-home life. There are articles popping up everywhere with headlines like 17 Unique Airbnbs that Remote Workers Should Book Right Now, further showing the trend of working in a nourishing temporary space.
If a home away from home wouldn’t be ideal for you, there are rentable workspaces all over the US to make a temporary office out of. Instead of working at home, you can get the feel of going to the office everyday through companies like Regus and Millworks. These types of coworking offices can offer people many benefits, like a quiet, professional place to work and a new space to spark creativity and refresh your mind.
Getting creative when it comes to making your remote work life as productive as possible has reached new heights in the last year. We’ve got to admit, shaking up your current routine and finding new ways to do your best work sounds pretty great!
Did you know that this Friday is National Road Trip Day? To the adventurers who want to see it all, but also reduce their carbon footprint while doing so, this one’s for you. Here’s 3 ways to make your summer road trip more eco-friendly!
Travel Together with Friends
You know how we love our carpools. Road tripping with friends is like a carpool and vacation in one! Instead of driving separate cars and meeting at locations, driving together can make a big impact when it comes to the number of vehicles on the road. Being on a road trip with a group makes it way more fun, too! You can take turns driving, split the cost of gas, and enjoy the open road together in the process.
Leave Nothing Behind but Tire Tracks
It goes without saying, but litterbugs are a no-go on road trips. As you stop at rest areas, scenic overlooks, and destinations along the way, be sure to pick up after yourself. Did you know that in a two-year period, the Washington State Department of Transportation disposed of 6,075 tons of litter from roadsides across the state? While traveling, we like to follow this mantra: Be kind. Leave nothing behind!
Bring Your Bike!
A road trip is equal parts about the journey and the destination. Stopping at local parks, historical markers, national forests, and beaches brings a great opportunity to soak in the world around you. Bringing your bicycle can be the perfect way to get some physical activity in between long stretches of driving. If you don’t have a bike, a trusty pair of hiking boots or walking shoes will get you moving, too.
Let's Hit the Road
Above all, road trips are a lot less impactful than taking a plane ride and, in many circumstances, will save you a ton of money. Just be sure to be mindful on your trip, plan ahead, and drive safely!
