The sun is shining and temperatures are rising — summer is just around the corner. Whether you prefer to spend your summer at the pool, on the beach or in your backyard, you don’t have to sacrifice sustainability when having a good time.
At FiveADRIFT, we believe sustainable living is year-round, but summer is the perfect time to think more about the products you use. Read on for a list of our top 10 favorite eco-friendly summer essentials.
Looking for a sustainable, summer-worthy product that also helps clean the oceans? Our beach towels and tote bags are made of organic cotton and hemp and contain zero plastic. And 100% of profits are donated to remove trash from the ocean. Check out our towels here.
1. Sunglasses
Karün sunglasses are fashionable, but each pair also has an incredible story. On the coast of Chile, collectors pick up waste, such as fishing nets and decomposing wood, to sell it to Karün. These materials are recycled and turned into amazing, sustainable sunglasses.
Karün is a certified B Corporation and Carbon Neutral Company. Additionally, they aim to be transparent about their carbon emissions and production process. Choose from over 100 different sunglasses that you can feel good about wearing.
2. Beach Towels
Of course, we couldn’t talk about sustainable summer essentials without talking about our favorite beach towel. FiveADRIFT’s absorbent, oversized towels come in four different stylish patterns, and each removes 75 plastic water bottles’ worth of plastic from the oceans.
What makes our towels even better is that they’re made of hemp, organic and recycled cotton and other naturally derived fibers — there’s zero plastic. We have manufactured our towels to last so that you can focus on having a relaxing, and sustainable, summer.
3. Sandals
Tire waste is a big problem with little being done to solve it. Because they can’t decompose, tires are left to sit in landfills and bodies of water. Indosole is combating this problem with sandals made from recycled tires.
As a certified B Corporation, Indosole utilizes eco-friendly and ethically responsible practices to manufacture its sustainable sandals. With an array of styles and colors for both adults and kids, these sandals are perfect for a walk on the beach.
4. Wide-Brim Hat
Everyone needs a floppy hat to keep the summer sun away from their face. Wallaroo Hat Company makes incredible brimmed hats in all sorts of styles — fedoras, bucket hats, wide-brimmed and cowboy hats are only a few.
As a certified B Corporation and with the recommendation of the Skin Cancer Foundation, Wallaroo hats are made sustainably and designed for sun protection with an ultraviolet protection factor of 30 or higher. Wallaroo Hat Company also donates its profits to skin cancer research and prevention, as well as to the building of shade structures on playgrounds and schools.
5. Water Bottle
When you are driving and walking in the hot summer sun, you want to make sure your cold beverages stay that way. Our FiveADRIFT water bottles are double insulated and free of BPA and plastic. That’s not to mention the taste — these stainless steel water bottles don’t have that weird metallic taste that so many reusable bottles have.
Removing plastic and unnecessary waste from the environment begins with you. Purchasing a reusable water bottle may not seem like much, but 100% of our profits go to cleaning up the oceans.
6. Sunscreen and Lotion
Protecting your skin before, during and after being in the sun is so important. Badger Balm is a one-stop-shop for the skin protection you need. Their sunscreen is reef-friendly, made with only four organic ingredients and sustainably manufactured.
This certified B Corporation also sells sunscreen for kids, after-sun balm, aloe vera gel and a variety of lotions for dry skin. Badger Balm has committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 and continues to improve its products and manufacturing process to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
7. Reusable Bags
When you head to the beach, what do you put in your cooler? Do you fill single-use plastic bags with tasty snacks? Bagito’s reusable snack and produce bags are perfect for on-the-go fun. These bags are durable, easy to clean and made from recycled plastics.
Bagito is committed to fair labor practices and donates 10% of profits to provide environmental literacy to children. This certified B Corporation is a great place to shop for everything you need to make your next picnic or beach day easy.
8. Grilling and Camping
Outdoor barbecues and family camping trips are some of the staples of summer living. With Barebones, you can find everything you need to sustainably grill, camp and have fun outdoors. Barebones sells enamelware, cast iron products, knives, grilling accessories, camping lanterns and so much more.
Barebones is a certified B Corporation with a current goal to remove all single-use plastics from its packaging. Giving back is a core value at Barebones — they build emergency shelters, provide solar energy to groups in the Congo and provide service to their local community. Start planning your next summer backyard gathering with Barebones.
9. Mosquito Repellent
Depending on where you live, you may not have this problem — but if there’s one thing that can ruin a fun summer day outside, it’s mosquitos. Murphy’s Naturals specializes in keeping mosquitos away using environmentally friendly materials and natural ingredients.
The company’s repellent comes in the form of candles, spray and incense, and it sells a soothing balm for if you get stung and can’t seem to stop itching. Murphy’s Naturals is a certified B Corporation, donates a percentage of profits to climate research and responsibly sources the repellent oil for its products. Murphy’s Naturals is a great way to keep your summer bug-free.
10. Tote Bag
When was the last time you went out for a fun day at the lake or the pool, lugging around a flimsy bag to hold all your things? FiveADRIFT makes durable and functional tote bags so that all you have to do is pack and go.
With four water bottle pockets, a phone pocket and a clasp for your keys, this tote bag is just what you need to keep your hands free. Just like our towels, our bags are made from organic cotton and other natural materials.
Living Sustainably This Summer
Summer is all about getting outdoors and having fun. It can seem difficult to incorporate sustainability into a time when life gets so busy. However, living sustainably is all about making small changes to incorporate less waste and better practices.
If you’re having trouble getting started, check out this blog: How to Use Less Plastic at the Grocery Store. This is a great way to start being a more conscious consumer.
At FiveADRIFT, sustainability is the name of the game. We pride ourselves on selling a product that reduces waste, rather than contributing to it. To learn more about FiveADRIFT’s impact, take a look at our innovation and sustainability practices.
