Sustainable Beach Gear 2022

It’s fabulous to be able to spend time in a natural setting and the most frequently visited part of the natural world for many is likely to be the beach. Considering how valuable such locations are to us it’s important that we consciously live to protect it as much as we can by being ecologically minded in what we use there. With that in mind here are a few suggestions.

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Swimwear
For the most planet positive swimwear check out my article on sustainable ethical swimwear for women or for men, the bottom of the article Sustainable Ethical Menswear

Wetsuits
The Great Outdoors have a Trade In Program for kids wetsuits. They sell used wetsuits and offer up to 50% off your next kids suit if you bring the old one in.

Sunglasses
Check out my article on sustainable sunnies for all your eyewear needs

Sunscreen
Check out my article on eco sunscreen for all your eyewear needs

Towels
3Sixty in Westport, Co Mayo sells ponchos and beach towels made from recycled polyester.

Rifó in Italy make beach towls from recycled cotton, sourced from waste clothing, in Italy.

Beach Footwear
I pick up flip-flops second-hand in charity shops but if that doesn’t float your boat and you want a new pair here are a few brands to consider.

UK based Ocean Fresh make recyclable vegan (uncertified) flip flops from salvaged marine waste that you can send back for recycling. They say that their flip-flops can be recycled into new pairs 4 times before being downcycled into plastic buttons or similar products. They make their shoes in Italy and Portugal. They make trainers too.

Whaletreads aim to make long-lasting products that help people reduce their impact on the environment. This includes using factories that provide fair working conditions,  using materials that are organic, recycled or re-used. – even the toggles on their organic cotton bags are manufactured from fallen, harvested twigs. Their dyes are Azo free; and the labels and display stands are made from recycled cardboard.

UK brand Waves offer flip flops made from natural rubber sourced from a fairtrade farm in Sri Lanka.

Ecoalf is a Spanish brand that makes flip-flops for men and women from recycled tyres and through it’s foundation Ecoalf are involved in a project to clean our oceans of waste called Upcycling the Oceans.  You can also buy their shoes through FAAM, an online retail store.

Rider are a Brazilian brand that use some recycled material in the making of their flip-flops. I don’t normally include non-European brands in my articles but you can get this brand through online retailer the Natural Collection, Spirit of Nature, Frank and Faith and the Ethical Superstore.

As part of a mega-sized lifestyle brand in the USA, Reef make sandals with water-based glues that are free of PVC. You can buy some of their flip flops through Schuh, the Surfdome, the Great Outdoors in Ireland or though sustainable surfing brand The Green Wave in the UK.

B Corp Indosole, based in the Netherlands, offer flip flops and sliders with soles made from recycled tyres and natural rubber, and uppers made with fabric that uses all-natural dyes and little water. Their shoes are made in factories in Indonesia and sold through stores throughout Europe.

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PS – This time in previous years I published

• Our experience of Fabulous Villages in France
• Ways to Avoid Food Waste