Last Updated on July 16, 2024

It’s officially summer! Summers in Maine are relatively mild and breezy compared to when I lived in California. It’s beautiful out and it makes me want to spend all my time outside.

I love enjoying the outdoors, be it from my deck or in nature. Summer is a great time to connect with nature through picnics, hiking, swimming, farm trips, or just simple strolls through the park.

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It’s also a great time to explore and go on vacation. Or, do a staycation. Maybe play tourist in your hometown and hit up local parks, beaches, museums and farm stands.

Whatever you choose to do this summer, you don’t need much to make it a memorable one. But there are certain items I’ve been LOVING lately and wanted to share them with you.

Here are some sustainable summer must-haves I’ll be keeping beside me all summer long.

1. water-safe sandals

Everyone needs a nice pair of water-friendly sandals. Think of days spent leisurely sunbathing by the pool or on white sandy beaches. I just put in an order for Reef Water Vista sandals and I cannot wait to try them out. They’re quick to dry and comfortable even when wet.

Reef utilizes natural materials like cotton and jute. Their eco foams are also made with a percentage of recycled materials. Plus they’re PVC-free.

Additionally, Reef are partners in conservation with Urban Surf 4 Kids, The Mega Lab and Better Beach Alliance.

2. beach towels

Everyone needs a trusty beach towel – or two. One for drying off, and one for lounging on the sand with friends and snacks.

I really love Sand Cloud because they use 100% Turkish organic cotton and 10% of the profits go towards marine conservation. Plus, they’re packaged plastic-free.

They have some beautiful and fun designs, so there’s something for everyone. You can shop body or party blankets, depending on how big you need your beach towel to be.

3. cute swimsuits

My favorite swimwear brand is YouSwim. They craft swimwear designed to move and change with your body. Their swimsuits come in two different sizes – stretch l (US 2-14) and stretch II (US 14-24).

Their suits are made using premium quality OEKO-TEX certified materials. They offer timeless designs that will always be in style, making it a suit that will last years rather than one season of your life.

Here’s a list of the best sustainable swimsuits on the market.

4. reef-friendly sunscreen

Coola is one reef-safe sunscreen brand I love that’s vegan and cruelty-free. They make both solid and spray-on sunscreens that utilize 70%+ certified organic ingredients.

Also, they use recycled materials in their packaging and all of their tubes are made of over 40% post-consumer recycled material. They have SPF 50-70 options.

RELATED: 20 Eco Friendly Sunscreens to Keep You Protected

Also, if it’s too late and you already got sunburnt, here are some natural sunburn remedies that can help speed the healing!

5. sunhats!

There are so many cute sunhat options to choose from in the summer. I recommend using what you already have of course, or finding one secondhand (just wash it before you use it!).

If buying new is more your speed, I love Vitamin A’s straw bucket hats: They come in three different colors and are hand-woven. They’re crafted entirely from straw, so they’re plastic-free. It gets delivered in recyclable packaging as well.

6. deodorant

Lets be real: We all need deodorant, especially in the summer. But it’s natural to sweat! Avoid anti-perspirants and instead reach for some natural deodorants.

Wild Deodorant is a favorite of mine because it’s refillable, vegan and made using natural ingredients. You get to choose the color and design on your forever case, then just order a refill in whatever scent you’d like to try.

Here’s a mega list of the best natural deodorants on the market.

7. a bike!

Who doesn’t love a nice bike ride in the summer? Especially when it’s sunny and there’s a nice breeze out. Biking is great exercise, plus it’s a simple way to reduce your carbon footprint.

You can get a secondhand bike, or a new one from a sustainable company. Pampro Bikes crafts bamboo bikes using plant-based eco-resin epoxy. Bamboo is a sustainable material because it consumes CO2 as it grows. Plus, it’s renewable and grows back fast after being cut.

Additionally, the sale of every bike helps young people in rural Ghana develop skills and an income that will set them up for the future. Their employees receive a decent wage, social security, lunch and health care benefits and they indirectly support 200 farmers across the region.

When I moved to Maine, I sold my car and got a bike. It’s a great way to get to know your town better because there are so many things you miss when you zip past them in a car.

Also, if you’d like a little more power behind your wheels, consider getting an ebike conversion kit.

8. a beach read (from the library)

What’s better than sunbathing with a fun beach read? Maybe grabbing it from the library.

Supporting your local library is a great way to also support the sharing economy. This helps reduce overconsumption and ultimately leads to less stuff.

Here’s a list of my favorite climate books. And FYI, my new book,101 Tips For a Zero Waste Kitchen, is available for pre-order now!

9. iced tea!

Who can get through summer without drinking iced tea?! Not me.

I really love supporting Arbor Teas because they not only have organic loose leaf tea (which is available online), but they also come in completely compostable packaging. It’s all plastic-free.

Their teaware is also super handy: I’m obsessed with their cold brew iced tea maker because it’s a glass pitcher and has a filter at the top to catch any bits as you pour it into your glass. Here’s how to make iced tea with loose leaf tea.

You can also get loose leaf tea at your local bulk food store! Or, support tea companies that use plastic-free tea bags, like Yogi and Pukka.

So what do you think of these sustainable summer must-haves? What would you add to the list? Let me know in the comments below!