Let’s pack a bag and head to the beach!!
I grew up in a beach vacation destination, so I feel like I have some sort of authority on beach-going. At the very least, I’ve swallowed enough saltwater, rinsed enough sand out of my hair, and picked up enough trash off the beach to know what’s essential for a day spent in the sand and surf.
So, today I’m sharing some of my favorite eco-friendly beach faves for #sustainablesummer2019, from a beach bag made from reclaimed sails in Maine, to my favorite reef safe and zero-waste sunscreen options, to sustainably made swimsuits, and more!
The Perfect Beach Tote
If you’re in the market for a new beach bag, I LOVE these ones! They’re handmade in Maine from recycled sails, and have the cutest seaside designs and functional waterproof pouches, ample pockets, and a clasp to keep everything in.
That said, though, you don’t need to go out and buy a new beach bag to make it an eco-friendly beach trip. The most sustainable option, one that results in no packaging, shipping fuel, etc, is the item you already own. So, if you have a beach bag kicking around, or even an oversized reusable grocery bag or other tote, use it! You’ve already bought it, no need to go out and get another. Now, let’s fill it up!
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Fun fact: conventional sunscreen has ingredients in it (like oxybenzone and octinoxate, among others) that are both dangerous for your body and have DNA-altering and bleaching effects on coral reefs, and artificial fragrances and preservatives from sunscreen end up in the water and have damaging impacts on fish populations. Some states have banned the use of sunscreens containing the aforementioned chemicals, but for the most part, toxic sunscreen is readily available everywhere.
So, to help ensure that whatever I put on my body to keep it safe from the sun doesn’t also harm the ocean, I always look for sunscreen that’s made with non-nano zinc oxide and all-natural ingredients, like one of these: (links below are affiliate links)
Badger Natural Mineral Sunscreen (I like to use the tinted version on my face)
Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen
Despite being safer options, all of the above are packaged in plastic, which still isn’t ideal. If you’re looking to keep your sunscreen completely plastic-free, these are my favorites:
Raw Love Mineral Sunscreen (handmade in Hawaii// this is a concentrated paste in a little tin)
Silver Falls Sustainability Co Reef-Safe SPF 25 (handmade in Oregon, in a compostable paper tube)
Raw Elements also has a few different plastic-free options for susncreen, including their tinted face + body moisturizer in tins and their baby + kids sunscreen in recyclable tubes.
Natural Bug Repellant
This isn’t strictly necessary, but we like to bring it on all of our outdoor adventures, beach included. Much like sunscreen, bug repellant (and the packaging it comes in) can be harmful for both our bodies + the environment, so I always make sure to grab a more earth-friendly option.
When you need a spray, I like this Badger Anti-Bug Spray.
If a stick of bug repellant works for you, I love this compostable option from Silver Falls Sustainability Co. There are also a few zero waste options on amazon, if you’re looking to shop around!
A Reusable Water Bottle
It’s so easy to get dehydrated at the beach, so I love to bring an insulated bottle full of ice water to keep me cool and hydrated. Most public beaches have water fountains, too, so you can easily refill if you run out of water rather than stopping to buy bottled water.
I use this Klean Kanteen bottle everyday, and I love their insulated growler for bringing drinks to share!
Snacks + Lunch in Reusable Containers
Bringing your own food not only reduces the amount of money you spend at the beach, but it ensures that no ziplock baggies or snack wrappers get blown away by the wind and, inevitably, land in the ocean.
Here are a few of my favorite food storage containers, that are great for the beach and life in general:
stasher bags. for snacks + sandwiches, and to keep phones/keys safe and dry.
bee’s wrap. for sandwiches, fruit, cookies, etc. you can essentially form them into any shape, so this works anywhere you’d normally use plastic wrap.
stainless steel containers with silicone lids. great for sandwiches, cut fruit or veggies, dips like hummus, pasta salad, etc. We also use these to transport single portions of dog food and as an empty bowl to fill with water for Peanut!
16oz wide mouth mason jars. great for trail mix or delicate foods that you don’t want to get crushed in your bag. also doubles as a cup if you stop for an iced coffee along the way! note: many beaches are ‘glass-free’, but we’ve never had a mason jar break at the beach, so just use your judgement in whether or not you want to bring them with you!
Need a few beach snack ideas? We love bringing hummus + veggies, whatever fruit we have on hand like: strawberries, cherries, or watermelon, peanut butter balls, cheese + crackers, and green smoothies!
Beach Towels & Beach Blankets
Try to think outside the box here: do you already own something that you can use as a beach towel/blaket before you go out and buy new ones? Maybe a large bed sheet, a thin throw blanket, a yoga mat, or even just a few of your own bath towels work perfectly well at the beach.
If you’re in the market for a dedicated set of beach gear, I love these organic beach towels from Coyuchi and these go-anywhere towels made from recycled plastic.
Sustainably Made Swimwear
Did you know the clothing industry is one of the top contributors to pollution and waste worldwide? The production of new clothing is often extremely wasteful, but there are companies committed to doing better by our planet. Like Madewell and Faherty Brand, who make swimsuits out of recycled plastic bottles and other sustainable materials. And the best part is, they’re not significantly more expensive than walking into target and buying one off the rack that was produced in a profit-at-all-costs factory.
An Extra Bag for Trash
I always bring an extra bag with me (or leave space in my beach bag) to take home any waste that I create at the beach and, more importantly, any one else’s trash I find while I’m there. Even on the most pristine beaches you’d be surprised at how many plastic straws, buried wrappers, bottle tops, and other little bits of trash are left behind by others. Do I enjoy picking up after other people? No. But I’d rather do so than leave it behind to pollute the ocean.
Bonus: beaching with kiddos? Check out these 100% recycled plastic beach toys and plastic-free floaties made from cotton.
Tell me- what’s in your beach bag? Did I leave any essentials out? Do you have any favorite eco-friendly beach products I should know about? Leave a comment below letting me know!