Enjoying the Great Outdoors- The Green Way

It's almost summer- a time to enjoy hosting barbecues, planning cookouts, and spending time outside.   With this warm weather, it is important to know how to continue your green living habits; whether you are going to the park, relaxing on vacation or even enjoying your apartment's community's pool!

Here are some tips for keeping the environment a priority when you spend time outside this season:

• Use Sunscreen With Few Chemicals: Sunscreen contains numerous chemicals that can contaminate the environment if spilled on the ground.  This is also the case with insect repellents.  Try to find products with as few chemicals as possible.  In fact, you can make your own sunscreen; here are some ingredients that naturally block the sun:

Almond Oil- SPF around 5

Coconut Oil- SPF 4-6

Red Raspberry Seed Oil SPF 25-50

Carrot Seed Oil –  SPF 35-40

Shea Butter – SPF 4-6

• Pack or Bring Local Food: Try to buy food, especially produce, locally from farmers' markets.  When packing food, ensure to only pack what you need!  Throwing away food wastes resources.
•  Think of Reusable Materials: When packing for a trip or a day outside, try to use re-usable containers.  Stay away from materials, like plastic sandwich bags, you will just throw away when you are done.
• Mind Your Waste: If you must throw away some of your products when outside, don't just dump waste or leave it behind.  Be sure to place it in the garbage containers or marked areas for trash.

Homemade sunscreen recipe received from the Wellness Mama website at wellnessmama.com. 

Outdoor green tips re-purposed from EarthShare at earthshare.org.

Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.