5 Eco Swaps For This Summer

It’s finally here! We are so excited for the warmer months ahead. At Nimble, we’re always looking for ways to be more eco friendly - it’s one of the big reasons why we exist - so we put together some easy, kind to the planet sustainability swaps for you to make this summer!

1. Buy towels made from recycled materials

When you hit the pool or beach this summer, switch from regular beach towels to those made from recycled materials! Products that use recycled materials are excellent for combating our climate issues, as they limit the amount of new waste and prevent things from ending up in landfills. 

There are tons of brands that sell towels made from recycled materials, and one of our faves is Dock & Bay. Their products are made from 100% recycled materials. Plus they offer sand-free towels, which are a lifesaver when you have little ones. No more sand in the car! And di you know, Dock & Bay got their start on Dragons Den just like us?

Keep your towels clean, soft, and snuggly with the Laundry Lover and Cuddle Lover, our non-bio detergent and fabric softener. Not only can you save the planet with your towel, but also with the supplies you use to keep them clean.

2. Try reef-friendly sunscreen

Reef-friendly sunscreens are better for the reef and oceans, better for your skin, AND safe for your child’s skin! Without the harsh chemicals you might find in other sunscreens, reef-friendly ones are more gentle on your skin and the ocean.

As you may know, coral reefs are under immense pressure from climate change, overfishing, and water pollution. So let’s do our part in giving back to the reef by using sunscreen to protect the oceans and reefs rather than harm them!

A reef safe sunscreen will have zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in it. When shopping for sunblock, try to avoid the following ingredients: Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, Homosalate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, PABA, Parabens, Triclosan, “nano-sized” zinc or titanium, and any form of microplastic, such as “exfoliating beads.” For more information, check out Save the Reef.

3. Use plant-based hand sanitisers

As places have now opened up without restrictions, it’s extra important to take steps to keep you and your little ones safe! Naturally (get it?), we recommend our Germ Zapper for little hands because it’s free from harsh chemicals, non-drying, and effective at killing those germs! The Germ Zapper is a spray sanitiser, making it easy to control how much is being used, and trust us, a few sprays goes a long way. 

We know you might all be tired of hearing you should sanitise your hands, but it's truly one of the easiest ways to keep germs away when you’re on the go!

4. Stay hydrated with a reusable water bottle

Staying hydrated is a summer must, and overall, something more critical to our health than we sometimes realise. Did you know that most adults need about 2 to 2.5 litres of fluid a day? Dehydration is a killer, especially when you’ve got kids to chase around, play with, and look after! 

Rather than buying plastic water bottles - which can be bad for both the drinker and the environment - why not swap to a reusable bottle that inspires you to stay hydrated? In fact, not only does the single-use plastic often end up in landfills unnecessarily, but the plastic can impact the purity of the water inside.

We’re big fans of Hydroflasks, but countless options will keep your water cool all day long. To find out more about the dangers of water in plastic bottles, you can read more here. 

5. Switch to sustainable sunglasses

We know, we know. It sounds weird. How can sunglasses be sustainable? We initially thought the same thing, but there is a massive market for eco-friendly sunglasses here in the UK. One fun way to purchase ethical sunglasses is to buy them second-hand! However, we know not everyone - especially busy parents - has the time to go on a thrift hunt, so we have another solution.

Look for sunnies made out of sustainable and/or recycled materials! Bird, a UK based brand we love, pay special attention to the materials going into their frames to ensure they are vegan, cruelty-free, and environmentally friendly. What's not to love?

We hope you enjoyed our sustainable swaps for the summer. Think we've missed something? Then why not leave us a comment?

In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy the sunshine (responsibly of course)!