Summer in this city is hot, noisy and more than a little smoggy. Most days I’m up for the challenge, but the promise of a getaway – even for a couple of days – is just what I need. Imagine my excitement when last weekend, I was invited to a friend’s cottage on beautiful Lake Simcoe.
As a first-time invitee, I wanted to make a high impact impression and be a low-environmental-impact guest. Good thing I was once told that an invite to a cottage does not mean your hosts should cater to all your needs while you put up your feet.
In the end, I discovered it’s actually pretty easy to do your part for the house and for the environment.
Bring food (and prepare it ahead of time). By making a salad or two at home, you’ll cut down on the ingredients, bottles, and containers you otherwise might be bringing. Preparing food in advance, frees up more time to enjoy your surroundings, and your company.
*Eco-bonus: because you’re bringing salad, you can easily leave out the meat.
Buy local. Fresh fruits and veggies are a cottage staple. Pick up some from your farmer’s market or road side stand along the highway. Top it off with wine and beer from a local brewery or winery.
Bring your own bedding. This may not always be necessary, but it is certainly a very considerate gesture to bring your own sheets, pillowcases or sleeping bag. Taking them home to wash saves your host the hassle and ensures it’ll be washed in an eco-friendly way: detergent with no phosphates, a cold water wash/rinse, and hanging to dry.
Unplug your activities. Who needs to watch movies or use a hair dryer at the cottage? Take a break from electricity-based dependency and expend your ‘energy’ on swimming, hiking, canoeing, and raucous board games. Bring a Frisbee and a good book and you’ll have more than enough activities to keep you busy.
Remember these few things, and you will secure a place as your friend’s greenest returning guest.
Make a difference − share this environmental tip with your friends.
