WRITTEN BY AALIYAH ALEXANDER
Summer is upon us. Cold winter days are finally tucked away along with our sweaters and coats in exchange for clear blue skies and long days in the sun. Whether you’re looking forward to that long-awaited vacation or slow days by the pool, here are a some of our sustainable summer essentials.
But First, Sustainability
When it comes to sustainability, the goal is to be mindful of what we’re purchasing with the intention of being less wasteful. Far too often, our culture promotes the opposite, and we end up purchasing items only for them to collect dust in our homes, eventually winding up in our trash and landfills.
We’ve all been guilty of this, but making small shifts and choices in our spending habits can go a long way in supporting the health of our planet. For this list, we’ve included 5 of the most common items for summer use with curated brands that have the well-being of you and the planet in mind. In other words, these brands considered not only what you can use this summer, but for summers to come.
Summer Essential #1: SPF
Obviously, we know that sunscreen will run out eventually, but there are still options to choose from that are cruelty-free, created from clean ingredients, and sustainably sourced.
Brands to consider:
Summer Essential #2: Sunglasses
If you’re going to be spending a lot of time relaxing poolside (or beachside) this summer, sunglasses are essential for protecting your eyes from from the damaging effects of UV rays.
Brands to Consider:
Summer Essential #3: Water Bottle
Gone are the days when plastic water bottles were the majority. Now more than ever people are understanding the swift need to opt for reusable water bottles (yay!). This reduces the amount of plastic that pollutes our oceans and landfills and further protects our health from troublesome toxins that have been found to seep into the water of plastic bottles.
If you want to support companies that have the planet in mind when manufacturing and producing water bottles, then consider the brands below.
Brands to Consider:
Summer Essential #4: Beach Towel
Another sustainable must-have is a great beach towel. If your current supply of beach towels are looking a little worse for the wear, take a look at these brands for some stylish and eco-conscious beach towels.
Brands to Consider:
Summer Essential #5: Swimsuit
Is summer “summer” without some time in the water? That’s why it’s essential to have a good swimsuit on standby for times when you need to take a splash. When you purchase a swimsuit from a sustainable-focused brand, you can walk away with a cute swimsuit to wear for summers to come, knowing that the environment wasn’t harmed in the process.
Brands to Consider:
Summer Essential #6: Sun Hat
You can’t have a day lounging in the warm rays of the sun without a nice sunhat to shield your face. By purchasing a sunhat from an eco-conscious brand, you can rock a sustainably designed sun hat this summer and beyond.
Brands to Consider:
Summer Essential #7: Tote Bag
A summer essentials list wouldn’t be complete without a tote bag to carry all your other essentials! While finding a tote bag isn’t a trying task during summertime, if you want to vote with your dollar and support brands that align with sustainability efforts, consider these.
Brands to Consider:
Enjoy this season of sunshine with these sustainable summer essentials! Whether this is your first time shopping sustainably or you’re a pro, any of these brands offer a perfect edition to your summer adventures.
Images by Unsplash
Aaliyah Alexander is a content and copywriter, graduated magna cum laude from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and media studies. She has written and worked for a number of lifestyle brands around veganism and sustainable living. She is a passionate writer, especially focused on plant-based food and culture, sustainable fashion, and natural skincare.
You can follow Aaliyah on Instagram or her personal blog, aaliyahinspired.com.
