Sustainable Summertime Gear

Now that Memorial Day is behind us, summertime is unofficially here. With that, here come the onslaught of barbecues, beach days and backyard activities.

Are you prepared yet?

If you're looking to make sustainable switches at home, now is a great time to make sure your summer gear is eco-friendly.

Equip your home and beach bag with recycled and reusable goods, and you'll help to cut down on a tremendous amount of waste.

So, let's run down the list of common summertime gear and get to it!

Swimwear

It's becoming much more popular these days for swimwear to be made with recycled plastic bottles (PET) or recycled fishing nets, known as Econyl. The quality is just as good as conventional polyester, if not better! Fair-trade brands also support fair working conditions and wages for those making the swimsuits.

Women

Men

Children

Tea Collection

Sun Protection

Sun protection is extremely important, no matter who you are. However, some sunscreens can contain harmful chemicals, even when they're supposed to protect us from the sun's rays. The Environmental Working Group publishes an annual sunscreen guide rating tons of available brands, helping you to make a decision more quickly.

Another term in the sunscreen world is "reef-safe", meaning the formulas are safe for use in waters where coral reefs live. Studies have shown that sunscreen chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate cause irreparable damage to coral reefs.

This is far from a complete list, but may help you get started.

Towels

Is it time to get new beach or pool towels? Look for organic cotton or recycled material options! This is one item I haven't yet replaced in our house, simply because our existing towels are still more than functional. There's no need to get rid of the towels if they're still in great condition, but when it does come time to replace them, I'll look for eco-friendly alternatives.

Reusable/Compostable Goods

Whether you're spending time at the pool or beach, attending or hosting a backyard cookout or going to an outdoor event, there are plenty of sustainable items you can use to help reduce your waste!

Swap your Solo cup for: Insulated tumblers and stainless steel cups
Swap your Styrofoam dinnerware for: Compostable bamboo plates*
Swap the disposable straws for: Reusable glass straws*
Swap the disposable utensils for: Bamboo to-go utensils*
Swap the Ziploc bags for: Stainless steel travel food containers*

For all EarthHero products, don't forget you can still use the code ECOCAJUN to get 15% off your order!

A total bonus: Insulated stainless steel drinkware keeps your drink colder for longer - perfect for when you'll be out in the heat! Don't forget to stay hydrated. While this mama-to-be is sipping on water, flavored water and mocktails all summer long, I still want to stress that you should drink water in between margaritas and cold beer!

Read my full blog post on eco-friendly swimwear.

Other Summertime Essentials

What are some of your favorite summertime essentials?

This post contains affiliate links, where I receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. These links have a * next to them!