The Ultimate Guide to the Best Eco-friendly Beach Towels for Summer
While you’re adopting sustainable beach habits like leaving no litter behind and wearing reef-safe sunscreen, another step you can take is investing in an eco-friendly beach towel.
Let’s explore different fabrics and a list of amazing beach towels made with eco-friendly materials.
Eco-Friendly Fabrics to Look for in a Sustainable Beach Towels
As with an eco-friendly closet, when keeping the planet and especially the ocean in mind for beach accessories in general and beach towels in particular, you’ll want to keep an eye out for natural or sustainable fabrics.
However, take note that even natural fabrics release microfibers and their impact on marine life is uncertain, so weigh all the pros and cons before picking your fabric of choice.
Organic Cotton
Grown without chemical pesticides and fertilizers, organic cotton keeps toxic ingredients out of the air, water, and soil, protecting the health of workers and the environment.
The environmental downside to organic cotton is that it requires more land than conventional cotton and often more water too.
Read our organic cotton guide to learn more about this fiber in depth.
Hemp
A fast-growing and efficient crop, hemp one-ups both conventional and organic cotton in the water department, requiring less water than either. Another great plus, especially considering the sun time your skin gets in summer? It filters UV rays.
Linen
Made from flax, linen is another natural fiber that’s great for the eco-conscious. With its hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties, it’s good for your skin too. The downside to linen is its hefty price tag.
Recycled Polyester
This may not be a natural fabric, but the plus for the environment is that it keeps post-consumer plastic items like bottles and fishing nets out of landfills and incinerators.
The downside is that recycled polyester still releases microfibers when washed.
So if this is the towel you decide to go for just make sure and wash responsibly in a Guppyfriend Bag or with a Cora Ball, something that can help capture the microplastics.
4 Eco-Friendly Beach Towel Brands
If you need a new beach towel (first eco-friendly prize is using what you already have), check out these brands that offer eco-conscious beach towels while implementing fair and sustainable practices.
This post does contain some affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase The Honest Consumer will receive a commission. Our commission is at no additional cost to you.
Nomadix Recycled Polyester Beach Towels
Nomadix offers a wide range of eco-friendly beach towels in bright colors and funky patterns that are absorbent, quick-drying, sand-free, and come with a sack for easy and efficient packing.
Their towels are made from 15% nylon and 85% recycled polyester, the latter made using recycled plastic bottles. Nomadix extends their environmental awareness by contributing to 1% for the Planet, Surfrider Foundation, and Fifty-Nine Parks. Their eco-conscious beach towels range from $30-$40.
Boll & Brach Organic Cotton Beach Towels
From sheets and shams to bath mats and bathrobes, Boll & Branch has a lot to offer your home. When it’s time to hit the sand, Boll & Branch offers ethical shoppers a luxuriously oversized beach towel made from ethically sourced, 100% organic cotton and available in a variety of colors.
Boll & Branch is also Fair Trade certified; their products are made without harmful chemicals, pesticides, or GMOs; and their packaging is both recycled and recyclable. Boll & Branch’s beach towels are $60 and the quality allows them to last for years to come.
Monogram Organic Cotton Beach Towels from Pottery Barn
Love the personalization of a monogram? Pottery Barn has released a line of organic cotton towels featuring a classic nautical strip style and that can be embroidered with this personalized touch. These towels are made with 100% organic cotton which is grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
Pottery Barn is also a proud member of the Better Cotton Initiative. Their towels meet the requirements of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and are STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified.
These towels are also tested in an independent lab and verified to be safe from over 350 harmful substances. Pottery Barn’s organic cotton beach towels are around $50.
Sand Cloud’s Lightweight Sand Free Towel
Sand Cloud offers a variety of eco-friendly towels perfect for the beach with gorgeous patterns including marine life designs. Lightweight, durable, and sand-free, the towels are made from handwoven Turkish cotton and go beyond the beach by being multi-functional.
Ten percent of Sand Cloud’s profits go to marine conservation, supporting initiatives like Marine Conservation Institute, Pacific Marine Mammal Institute, and Ocean Connectors.
Hopefully this guide has given you options to consider based on sustainable materials and budget!
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MEET THE AUTHOR
Emily Waddell is the founder of The Honest Consumer. She has always been passionate about business for good and has a Bachelor degree in Social Entrepreneurship. She currently lives in Seattle where she practices imperfect sustainability. When she’s not writing, Emily enjoys supporting small businesses, clean eating, & practicing slow living. Learn more about Emily’s journey starting The Honest Consumer.
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