Waste doesn’t go on holiday: how to recycle in summer

You’ve been looking forward to summer! It’s the perfect time to recharge your batteries, rest, relax, disconnect from your routine and establish new habits that allow you to enjoy your free time and do many activities that you can’t do at other times of the year. During these months you establish new habits and you take everything more calmly and quietly: you enjoy sunny days on the beach, long afternoons of conversation on a terrace, excursions in the mountains, you go sightseeing discovering new routes and cities, and you share good times with friends and family. But there’s one thing you shouldn’t take so calmly: waste management and the recycling routine during the summer holidays. In this article you’ll discover tips to reduce waste in summer and sustainable alternatives for holidays.

 

PUT MORE R’S IN THE SUMMER AND ENJOY MORE THAN THREE TIMES

 

Waste doesn’t go on holiday, on the contrary, summer is a time when too much is generated and the environment is much more exposed to the negative consequences if it is recycled little or poorly. Your responsibility to take care of the environment must also have a place and space in the summer. You can include recycling habits in your new summer routine. You can put them in your suitcase and make them part of your daily life during the holidays.

In addition to the 3R’s that you already know (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle), during the summer you can add many more R’s: Relax, Refresh yourself, Rediscover places and hobbies, Rethink the present, Rewrite the future (yours, ours and the planet’s) and Respect the environment.

If you carry out all these R’s you can enjoy your holidays and at the same time be aware of your environmental responsibility. Disconnect from your daily routine during these days but do not leave aside the routine and habits of recycling and sustainability because it is very necessary to recycle during the summer holidays.

 

SUSTAINABLE HABITS FOR RECYCLING DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS

 

It is essential that during the summer period you maintain recycling habits and routines, promote them in those activities you do and with the people you interact with. If there is one thing you cannot take a break from, it is in contributing to the care of the environment.

In the business world, it is customary to prioritize the reduction of the ecological footprint of the company and there are several essential practices that, luckily, are becoming more common throughout the year.

An easy and effective action is to establish recycling points for paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, clearly labeled, without forgetting the importance of recycling electrical and electronic products (WEEE). These key points to promote sustainability can be located in common areas of the offices such as dining rooms or passageways.

Employees can also be encouraged to reduce the use of disposable plastics by promoting the use of reusable utensils and refillable water bottles. Many companies already implement these practices in their daily work and it is becoming increasingly rare to see plastic bottles in offices.

Likewise, in the private sphere, various sustainable habits can be adopted and maintained during the holidays. One of the most important is to always carry reusable cloth bags when you go shopping or do any outdoor activity to avoid the use of plastic bags.

We also recommend using reusable containers and cutlery if you have a picnic or go on an excursion, this way you will be able to minimize plastic waste and reduce the environmental impact.

 

 

Separating waste into different containers to recycle paper, glass, and plastics is an essential practice that you can do both at home and at your vacation destination. When you do outdoor activities, you can separate the waste you generate and deposit it in the corresponding containers as soon as you can.

Fortunately, more and more natural areas have waste sorting containers, but if not, store waste in reusable bags until you find a recycling point. Recycling during the summer holidays helps reduce the environmental impact of waste at this time of year when everything slows down except waste generation.

 

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS FOR SUMMER

 

If you choose sustainable products you will enjoy the summer and at the same time reduce the environmental impact. Here are some ideas to incorporate sustainable products into your summer routine:

• Organic cotton clothing: it is softer, more comfortable and avoids soil or water pollution with pesticides and fertilizers.
• Eco-friendly sunscreen: these are designed to protect your skin without damaging marine ecosystems, as they do not contain oxybenzone or octinoxate, substances known to negatively affect corals.
• Reusable water bottles: versions made of stainless steel or glass are perfect for keeping you hydrated while significantly reducing the use of disposable plastics.
• Reusable containers and cutlery: these are essential for picnics and excursions, allowing you to enjoy meals outdoors without generating waste.
• Biodegradable personal hygiene products: shampoos, soaps and toothbrushes made from biodegradable materials take care of you and the planet.
• Microfibre towels: they are lighter, dry quickly, are more durable and by using them we reduce the number of washes we do.
• Cloth bags: they are perfect for shopping or taking our things to the beach.

 

 

RED FLAG FOR BEACH BALLS, UMBRELLAS, SHOVELS, BUCKETS, MATTRESSES…

 

Sometimes you may have doubts about how to recycle during the summer holidays. Keep in mind that flip-flops, punctured beach balls, buckets, rakes, beach shovels, mats, etc., should not be deposited in the yellow container. This container is only for plastic containers, metal containers and cartons.

Beach balls are usually made of plastics such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or vinyl, materials that can be quite polluting due to their production process and difficulty in recycling.

To reduce their environmental impact, it is advisable to use beach balls made from recycled or biodegradable materials. Before throwing away the ball, think about repairing it for next summer.

Beach umbrellas are also an environmental challenge since many are made from a combination of plastic and metal materials and in many cases it is unknown how to recycle them correctly.

When buying an umbrella, it is advisable to look for options made from recycled or recyclable materials, such as those made from recycled polyester fabrics and recyclable aluminum structures. After many summers, if the umbrella can no longer be repaired, it is crucial to separate the materials to properly recycle each component.

Here is a guide so you know how to recycle the objects you use so much during summer vacations:

• Latex balloons, in the gray container.
• Plastic tubs and wrappers, in the yellow container.
• Ice cream tubs, in the blue or yellow container (depending on the material).
• Wooden ice cream spoons, in the brown container. If they are made of plastic, in the yellow container.
• Sunscreen bottle, in the yellow container. If it is aerosol, to the Clean Point.
• Beach toys, umbrellas, sun loungers, in the grey container or Clean Point.
• Swimsuits, bikinis or towels, in the textile container.
• Flip-flops, in the textile container.
• Diving goggles, snorkel and fins, in the grey container.
• Buckets, rakes and shovels, in the grey container.
• Pool noodles, in the Clean Point or the grey container.
• Floats/arm bands, in the grey container.

 

Adopting these practices not only reduces the amount of waste generated during the summer, but also encourages a more conscious and responsible use of resources, contributing to the protection of the environment.

 

HOW TO RECYCLE PACKAGING IN SUMMER

 

During the summer, the use of food and drink packaging increases and we must keep in mind that this excess of packaging and the waste generated are harmful to the environment if this waste is not managed correctly. The solution is to stop this increase and improve usage and recycling habits.

The most common packaging is usually plastic bottles, aluminum cans, glass containers and cardboard containers and this summer you can use them in a more sustainable way so that they do not pollute. Here is a guide:

• Plastic bottles: These are mainly made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which is a recyclable material. To recycle them, make sure you empty and rinse the bottles before placing them in the YELLOW bin. It is advisable to crush the bottles to save space and remove the caps, as they are often made of different types of plastic.
• Aluminium cans: Drinks cans, which are very cold, are very popular in summer. Aluminium is a highly recyclable material so you can enjoy the drink first and then take care of the environment. Rinse the cans, crush them and place them in the YELLOW bin.
• Glass containers: During the warmer months, many glass jars and bottles are used, both for drinks and food, and you should always keep in mind that the containers can be recycled. Glass is infinitely recyclable without losing quality, so there is no excuse.
• Before recycling containers, rinse them well and remove any lids or corks and place them in the GREEN container.
• Cardboard containers: cardboard containers are often used when consuming juices and milk. These containers have a plastic or aluminium coating that can make recycling difficult, but this is no excuse. These containers and cartons can be recycled if they are rinsed properly and placed in the YELLOW container.

 

All of these materials can be recycled and converted into new products: the easy thing would be to throw them away from the start, but that would not be sustainable. There are many types of waste that can be converted into new products, applying the appropriate treatment for recycling. In this way, we promote the Circular Economy and take care of the environment.

 

TIPS TO REDUCE WASTE DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS

 

We share a summary of sustainable habits and good practices that you can carry out to recycle during the summer holidays and enjoy them sustainably:

• Always take your trash with you: collect all your trash and take it with you until you find a suitable place to dispose of it. Do not leave trash on the beach or in natural environments and pick up any trash you find.
• Use reusable products: you can use reusable water bottles and cloth bags to reduce the use of single-use plastics.
• Buy local and bulk products: and you can also use your own containers to avoid unnecessary packaging.
• Separate waste and recycle properly: deposit waste in specific containers, separate product components, such as umbrellas (fabric and structure), and look for specific recycling points for each material. Remove lids and other components made of different materials before recycling.
• Refuse single-use plastics: say no to plastic bags, straws and disposable utensils. You’re sure to find a sustainable alternative.
• Use sustainable materials: choose beach balls and umbrellas made from recycled or biodegradable materials.
• Repair and reuse: before throwing away an item, try to repair it or give it a new use. You can certainly recycle packaging and this reduces the need to manufacture new products and prolongs the life of existing ones.
• Empty and rinse recyclable packaging: always do this before recycling to avoid contamination of recyclable materials.
• Crush and compress: this will save space in the recycling bin.
• Reduce your carbon footprint: opt for public transport or carpool to reduce carbon emissions on your trips.
• Reduce plastic on the beach: plastic waste is very dangerous when it reaches the sea because it seriously affects marine animals.
• Reduce energy consumption: take advantage of natural light and ventilate your home instead of using air conditioning all the time. Also, unplug appliances when not in use to save energy.
• Create compost with your organic waste: if you have a garden or outdoor space, you can venture out and make compost with leftover fruit, vegetables or other foods. You will obtain natural fertilizer for your plants and you will have fun while creating your own compost.

 

THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN SUMMER

 

These actions and tips are applicable and necessary both in summer and throughout the year because they help reduce the environmental impact and promote sustainability, which is a habit that must be sustained over time and applied in everyday life.

If you promote and carry out actions that promote the Circular Economy, you will be able to maximize the use of resources, extending their life cycle through recycling, thus minimizing the generation of more waste.

Every small action you take has a great impact, both positive and negative.

And it is crucial to know how to recycle during the summer holidays.

Rest and recharge your energy during the summer but maintain recycling habits during the holidays, in a much more conscious and responsible way than at other times of the year. Try not to leave more of a footprint on the planet and recycling in the summer is key to this. By reducing waste in the summer, you will enjoy a sustainable summer and a more cared for planet!

 

IN SUMMER TMA CONTINUES TO MANAGE WASTE 24/7

 

At TMA we work with the Zero Waste philosophy because it is our way of understanding, managing and treating waste.

We are responsible for minimising the impact of waste on the environment, studying, developing and implementing innovative solutions in the comprehensive, sustainable and efficient management of waste. We recover and valorise all those materials that can be recycled, giving them a new life, recovering waste and converting them into resources. Waste is an opportunity to create new products with different uses and thus minimise the impact of waste on the environment.

We want to contribute to the Circular Economy and that is why we work to recycle the largest amount of waste, innovating, developing and implementing solutions to extend its life cycle. We work so that each material that can be recycled is valorised. In this way, we give a new life to waste, transforming it into useful resources for the manufacture of new products.

We offer the most efficient treatment and recycling solutions for any type of waste generated and reduce the negative environmental impact of not recycling and directly disposing of waste.

Our goal is always to minimize waste generation and maximize the use of resources. The Zero Waste philosophy reinforces our commitment to caring for the environment and to innovation in the services we offer our customers.

With innovation in waste management, without intermediaries, we make our Zero Waste philosophy much more than recovery and recycling.

We are much more than comprehensive waste management. During the summer season, we help you 24/7 to recycle during the summer holidays.

 

We take care of our clients and we take care of the environment.
We are much more than comprehensive waste management.

 

Do you need efficient waste management or more information about the services we offer at TMA? Write to us at comercial@tma.es and we will be happy to provide you with a personalized proposal, fully adapted to your needs.

 

Discover our comprehensive Waste Management Services.

Follow us on TMA’s LinkedIn. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Contact us, we will be happy to advise and inform you.