The days are longer, the breeze is warmer and summer is just around the corner! Whether you’re planning to go camping, adventuring int a city or simply staying at home and enjoying the sun this upcoming season, be more conscious of your actions and take small steps to be more sustainable.

Here are five tips to have a more sustainable summer:

Take a stroll or hop on a bike

The average American passenger vehicle emits 4.6 metric tons of gasoline each year! With that being said, there are many things we can do to reduce the miles we drive whenever we can. Instead of giving into our dependence on cars and fossil fuels, walk or bike to your destination when you can. Getting a little sunshine, exercise, and reducing your carbon footprint is a win-win across the board.

Pick up your trash

Plastic constitutes approximately 90% of all trash floating on the ocean’s surface, with 46,000 pieces of plastic per square mile. As we are out camping, having picnics, enjoying rivers and beaches don’t forget to leave with everything you came with and pick up your trash or recycle your plastics. Let’s try to keep those beautiful places beautiful for generations to come!

Be conscious of your A/C use

In the U.S., about 100 million tons of carbon dioxide are emitted each year due to air conditioning use. This equals an average of about two tons for each home with an A/C. We know that during the summer you need to turn that A/C on in order to cool down, but make sure it is operating efficiently will help minimize energy consumption for the months to come. Clean out your air filters, only cool the rooms that you are using, and if you have centrally controlled air, turn the temperature up (or turn the A/C off) during the day when you aren’t home. Also, making sure all vents are open will make sure you are getting the most of out of your air conditioner.

Don’t forget the veggies

Livestock accounts for 14.5 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions with cattle-raising alone contributing 65 percent of the livestock sector’s GHGs. Our meat addiction also has environmental and social effects across borders as forests continue to be cleared to meet increasing demands. Of course, we love BBQs, but it’s no secret that eating vegetables is better for the environment. Show salads and summer veggies some love as well.

Keep these tips in mind when you are out-and-about enjoying your summer in order to minimize the impact these sunny, fun-loving activities have on the environment!

Go Thrift Shopping

Some of the fun activities you have planned for the summer may require shopping trips. Try to buy almost all your summer necessities at thrift stores or yard sales. Second-hand trading is an eco-friendly activity because it gives a new life to products that have come to their end-of-use for the original owners. It also helps slow down production and extract the highest potential value in resources that are already in circulation.

Also, since yard and garage sales are popular in summer, it would be the right time to declutter your home. You can host a garage sale or use an online store to get rid of unwanted items that can be resused.