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sustainable beach towel with watermelon in the summer
Roundups

3 Sustainable Beach Towels That Don’t Cost the Earth

Few things scream summer louder than a sunny beach day, ocean breeze, and your go-to beach towel. But did you know that your towel could be doing more harm than good when it comes to the planet?

Wait—Beach Towels Aren’t Eco Friendly?

Not always. Most conventional beach towels are made from regular cotton, and that stuff is thirsty. It can take over 2,700 liters of water just to make one cotton shirt—imagine how much it takes for a full-sized towel!

But it’s not just the water usage. Conventional cotton farming relies heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which pollute waterways and harm wildlife. Then there’s the dyeing process—often packed with toxic chemicals and even more water waste. Not exactly the kind of thing you want to wrap yourself in after a swim, right?

So, What Makes a Beach Towel Actually Eco Friendly?

Good news: there are plenty of earth-loving alternatives out there. Here’s what to look for when you’re shopping for a sustainable beach buddy:

🌱 Organic or Natural Materials

Opt for towels made from organic cotton, bamboo, or recycled materials. Organic cotton skips the synthetic chemicals and supports soil health, while bamboo is a fast-growing, low-impact fiber.

🌊 Low-Impact or Natural Dyes

Eco-friendly dyes are way gentler on the planet and don’t leach toxins into waterways (or onto your skin). Bonus: they often look even better with a bit of wear.

🧵 Ethical Production

Look for towels with certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or Fair Trade Certified. That means workers were paid fairly and treated right. Good karma, every time you dry off.

♻️ Durability

An eco-friendly towel should last more than one summer. Choose high-quality materials that hold up through sun, sand, and lots of washes.

Our Top 3 Sustainable Beach Towels

Here are some standout brands that are making serious waves in the sustainability world:

1. Nomadix Eco Friendly Beach Towels

Nomadix towels are lightweight, packable, and perfect for anyone who loves to travel light and tread lighter on the planet.

  • Made from recycled plastic bottles
  • Fun, bold prints
  • Climate Neutral Certified + 1% for the Planet member
nomadix sustainable beach towels

2. Coyuchi

Coyuchi’s towels are like a spa day for your beach bag—ultra-soft, sustainably made, and timeless in style. They even have a “renewed” section on their site to get pieces at a discount while giving them a second home.

  • 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton
  • Fair Trade Certified factories
  • Dyed with low-impact dyes
coyuchi sustainable beach towel

3. Sand Cloud Sustainable Beach Towels

These crowd pleasers are as functional as they are cool. Plus, you’ll be helping save the oceans while soaking up the sun!

  • 100% Turkish or organic cotton
  • Quick-drying and sand-resistant
  • Donates 10% to marine conservation
sandcloud sustainable turkish beach towel

Make Waves, Not Waste

Beach days are for relaxing, not worrying about your environmental impact. So next time you’re packing your bag, swap in an sustainable beach towel that feels great and does great. Whether you’re chasing sunsets or just laying low on the sand, a sustainable towel is one small change that makes a big difference.

Catch you on the (cleaner, greener) beach OneDey!