In honor of Earth Day and as marinas prepare for peak boating season around the country, now is the time for boaters to gear up to “be green” on the water this summer. Choosing to be a responsible conservationist on the water not only positively impacts the environment, but can have a similar impact on your wallet.

The recreational boating industry continues to offer eco-friendly products, including electric and solar-paneled boats, greener engines and recycled accessories.

DiscoverBoating.com has easy tips for every boater to become more environmentally conscious this season, including:

• Clean safely. Look for the EPA-Certified “Design for the Environment” DfE label, which identifies cleaning products that have minimal environmental impact and are safer for you and your family. You can find a list of eco-friendly products at Green Seal.
• Maintain proper equipment. Make sure your boat, engine and propeller are compatible and in good condition to avoid wasting fuel and minimizing emissions.
• Recycle waste. Dispose of paints, batteries, antifreeze, cleaning products, oil and other hazardous wastes at a waste collection facility. Some marine accessories stores offer a $10 credit on a new battery when you return a used one.
• Reduce fuel consumption. Easily cut down on fuel usage by reducing cruising speeds, properly trimming, regularly tuning their engine, making sure the hull is clean and taking shorter trips.
• Prevent fuel spills. Ensure fuel does not discharge from the vent line as a result of overfilling by avoiding “topping off” your tank. Stop “spit back” from the fuel fill by fueling at a slow rate.
• Chart your course. Study your waterways to prevent boat propellers from damaging sensitive sea floor habitats or injuring marine life. Plan your trip in advance to avoid consuming excess fuel supply and consider using an autopilot when possible.
• Recycle fishing line. Protect marine life by properly disposing of monofilament fishing line at nearby marine accessory stores and shore-side recycling locations.
• Stow trash. Never dispose of garbage into the water. Take advantage of facilities on shore and at marinas to recycle plastic, glass, metal and paper.

For more tips and ideas on how to become a more eco-friendly boater and reduce fuel usage, visit DiscoverBoating.com.

Discover Boating is a national awareness campaign developed by the North American recreational boating industry and managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Discover Boating programs focus on improving the boating experience and building interest in recreational boating by providing a resource for Americans to explore the benefits, affordability and accessibility of the boating lifestyle. To find out more, visit DiscoverBoating.com.