Summer is the ideal time to enjoy the pleasures of the beach. However, it's essential to preserve these fragile natural spaces. Here are 5 eco-responsible gestures to adopt during your days at the beach to minimize your environmental impact while enjoying the sun, sand and sea to the full.
1. Reduce your garbage
Beaches are often overrun with garbage, mainly plastic, which is harmful to marine life and the coastal ecosystem. Here are a few tips for reducing your waste:
- Bring a reusable water bottle: Avoid plastic bottles by carrying a water bottle that you can refill throughout the day.
- Use cloth bags: Pack your beach gear in cloth bags rather than plastic ones.
- Prepare a zero-waste picnic: Opt for reusable containers and beeswax packaging to preserve your food.
2. Pick up after yourself (and others)
Even if you're careful not to leave any garbage behind, don't hesitate to pick up any garbage you find on the beach. Every gesture counts in keeping the beach clean in Brittany and elsewhere:
- Take part in clean-up operations: Many associations organize beach clean-up days. Join them and make a difference. Our eco-friendly hotels regularly organize beach clean-up events to involve visitors and the local community in protecting our coastline.
- Adopt the three-litter rule: Before leaving the beach, make it a habit to pick up at least three pieces of trash, even if they don't belong to you.
3. Use environmentally-friendly sunscreen products
Traditional sunscreens often contain chemicals that are harmful to coral reefs and marine life. To protect your skin without harming the environment, choose eco-friendly suncare products:
- Opt for mineral sunscreens: Choose mineral filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are less harmful to the marine ecosystem.
- Avoid sun sprays: Sprays can disperse chemical particles into the air and water. Use creams or lotions instead.
4. Respect flora and fauna
The beach and coastal areas are home to a rich and fragile biodiversity. Respecting these habitats is crucial to preserving nature:
- Don't walk on the dunes: Dunes are protected areas that are home to specific plants and animals. Stay on the marked trails to avoid damaging them.
- Don't disturb animals: If you come across marine animals or birds, observe them from a distance without disturbing them. Don't touch nests or pick up inhabited shells.
- Pay attention to notices: Birds nest on the coast from early April to late August. During this period, it's important to observe the signs posted to avoid disturbing the birds, trampling the nests or crushing the eggs, which blend in with the pebbles.
5. Use sustainable equipment
Choose sustainable and ecological beach equipment to reduce your impact on the environment:
- Choose accessories made from natural materials: Bamboo parasols, organic cotton towels, wooden beach chairs... Opt for environmentally-friendly materials.
- Invest in quality products: Durable, well-maintained equipment will last longer and avoid excessive consumption of resources.
At Naéco Hostels, we make a point of promoting sustainable, environmentally-friendly tourism. Our accommodations are designed with eco-friendly materials and we adopt green practices to reduce our carbon footprint.
When you stay with us, you'll enjoy a natural, unspoilt setting while actively helping to protect our planet. Discover our eco-responsible initiatives and actions, and enjoy a vacation in harmony with nature. To find out more about our ecological commitments, visit our website. Together, let's preserve the beauty of our beaches and our environment!
Find useful zero-waste objects for everyday use in our online store.