Sustainable Summer Essentials
Photo by Ball Park Brand on Unsplash
We all have already spent countless hours in the summer sun this year, but do you know how sustainable your go-to summer brands really are?
The CuttheCrap team has found it difficult to find sustainable alternatives to all of the summer essentials including clothes, swimsuits, and sunscreen.
That’s why they created a guide that everyone can use to find great products this summer season!
Please, share your favorite sustainable summer brands with us in the comments and we will add them to our list!
Sunscreen
Did you know sunscreen ends up in the ocean and other waterways after you swim or shower it off?
Common ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, nano titanium dioxide, and nano zinc oxide can harm coral reefs and sea creatures.
Anyone who loves being outside in the summer should invest time in finding more sustainable alternatives to traditional brands of sunscreen.
All-time favorite: Raw Elements Plastic Free Sunscreen
Features: SPF 30+, broad-spectrum, reef safe, biodegradable, water-resistant for up to 80 mins, and is safe for all ages
This option comes in plastic-free tins that make it easy to take on the go (and is ideal for hikes or other outdoor activities)
Second favorite: Elevated Sun! Natural Sunscreen
Features: SPF, reef-safe, vegan, and is safe for all ages
Unlike the first option listed, this one does not contain beeswax, making it 100% vegan friendly!
This option comes in a travel-size glass jar that is a perfect size to reuse for other products like scrubs, body butter, and more.
Daily SPF: Cocokind Daily SPF
Features: lightweight, SPF 32, reef-safe, and vegan
Use this product daily after moisturizing. It does wonders for any skincare routine. You’ll feel better knowing that you are using sunscreen that is both vegan and environmentally friendly.
The one drawback with this one is that it comes in a plastic tube.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are often cheaply made out of plastic materials, and if you’re lucky, they’ll only last you one summer season. That’s why we recommend looking for high-quality sunglasses that will last you years to come!
Here are some recommendations:
Sunski's Sunglasses
This brand uses SuperLight recycled plastic frames that are sourced from U.S. landfills. All of their sunnies also come with a lifetime warranty and a lens replacement service (to avoid you throwing away a pair of sunglasses due to damaged lenses).
Even their shipping is glue and plastic-free, as sunglasses come in paperboard origami boxes.
Still not convinced? Sunski donates 12% of its profits to various environmental initiatives and is in the process of becoming Certified Carbon Neutral.
Proof Eyewear Ethical Sunglasses
This brand offers both men's and women's sunglasses and uses a large variety of biodegradable materials, including- "recycled skateboards decks, recycled aluminum, FSC-certified sustainably-sourced wood (including bamboo, lacewood, ebony, and mahogany), and biodegradable cotton-based acetate for their ECO line (short for Environmentally Conscious Optics)" (Sustainable Jungle).
Each pair is ready for disassembly, is easily recyclable/compostable, is handmade, and delivered in an eco-friendly sustainably sourced wood case.
Swimsuits
We all want a nice swimsuit, and it can be tempting to get a new one each summer season. BUT what if you found a stylish swimsuit that would last you every summer season to come? Here are the top brands for sustainable swimsuit options.
Summersalt
This brand has such amazing, inclusive styles and the suits themselves are made from recycled textiles.
Plus, for shipping, they use reusable bags (win-win!).
Vitamin A
They use recycled nylon for their suits and create many of their prints with water-reducing digital technology.
On top of that, their packaging boxes are completely recyclable and biodegradable.