5 Easy Ways Your Family Can Help Preserve the Planet We All Share

1. Refuse, Reduce & Recycle

Have you heard about the plastic pollution problem? Being based in San Diego, CA we see the problem first hand at our local beaches and waterways.  Plastics are particularly damaging to the marine environment, as they do not biodegrade, and are easily mistaken as food and ingested by wildlife. While there is no immediate solution, we can all help by taking small steps in reducing our family's use of single-use plastics for example: plastic cutlery, plastic grocery bags, coffee cups and to go food packaging. For the plastic we do buy, try to re-purpose it and lastly, recycle it.

2. Eat & Shop Local

Head to your local farmers market for fresh air, good food and local vibes like our friend Megean from @ZeroWasteNerd pictured above. Taste an apple or orange that was picked a few days ago vs. many months ago and reduce the amount of energy/petroleum it takes to ship food across the world. Support your local agriculture and meet the farmer that worked hard to produce the food you are eating.  Don’t forget to bring your own basket or reusable bag to haul your goods home.

3. Volunteer at a beach or park cleanup

In the US, check with your local Surfrider Foundation chapter or in Canada your local Shoreline Cleanup. In Hawaii, join a Sustainable Coastlines cleanup, whose founders happen to be Bumbleride Adventurers (pictured at top of page).

4. Skip the straw

Straws are one of the top 5 items we pick up at our park and beach cleanups. One simple, “No straw please” at a restaurant can set a great example for our children, friends, family and bring awareness to the straw problem. Straws often cannot be recycled due to their size, material and shape. Paper and reusable straws are now available in many options, check out Simply Straws for awesome reusable straws.

5. Reusable containers

We’re big fans of reusable water containers, reusable food storage and coffee mugs/containers. Bumbleride staff family favorites include Klean Kanteen, Wean Green and Stasher . We even co-branded our own Kids Kanteen Sippy Cup with Klean Kanteen. Want to learn even more ways you and your children can make an impact on helping preserve the environment? Visit this helpful article from SD Coastkeeper.