Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. This post is also sponsored in part by LowTides. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

Sustainable Beach Gear

We are getting closer and closer to beach season, so I thought a list of sustainable beach items would be useful for your next trip! It is incredible how we can have sustainable beach chairs, umbrellas, towels, and even coolers to keep all our food cool. This certainly was not around when I was growing up, but I’m ready to see my son sitting on his little eco-friendly beach chair with non-toxic sunscreen all summer long :)

What to look for when shopping for sustainable beach products

First, use what you have or borrow from your friends & family. We make a lot of shopping guides & think it's necessary to remind consumers they probably already have something they can use, which is the most sustainable option.

Since you are enjoying the beach, you want to make sure the products you bring with you respect the environment they are in. For example, you don't want to get toxic sunscreens that could potentially harm sea life, so why not use a product that positively impacts the oceans by removing plastic from them? Whenever I look at a brand that creates products to use in nature, I love knowing they give back to the planet through either the materials they use or environmental organizations. Every brand listed in this post highly regards the environment and keeps the planet's health at the forefront of their business.

why is it important to protect our oceans?

According to conservation.org, we dump 8 million metric tons of plastic annually into the oceans. This is equivalent to 57,000 blue whales. You may have heard this statistic, but by 2050, more plastic will be in the sea than fish. Much of this plastic will break down into what is known as microplastics. Animals will then ingest these tiny pieces of plastic, and if fish is part of your diet, you will then consume this plastic.

We must not only be aware of the packaging we bring to the beach (& cleaning up after ourselves) but choose items made from natural materials or recycled plastics taken from the ocean rather than virgin plastics. While we aren't always a fan of recycled plastic in clothing because of the thread of microplastics in your washing machine, the material can be found in many other products we don't have to continuously launder.

Now, our favorite eco-friendly & sustainable beach accessories:

1. Foldable Eco-Friendly Beach Chairs from LowTides

I could not be more excited to find a sustainable beach chair brand!! With a truckload of plastic being dumped into our oceans every day (yeah, it’s terrible), there has to be something positive to come from all the waste.

LowTides uses this ocean plastic to create their collection of Sandbar Low Chairs, Dune High Chairs, Gully Child Chairs - and the prints are so fun! Their newest collections include one with global fashion brand Laura Ashley and New Jersey based beloved surf brand Jetty. To date, LowTides has removed 28,000+ lbs of plastic from our oceans.

These chairs are effortless to carry with their two back straps. They also have two cup holders to enjoy refreshing drinks while looking at the waves. LowTides has also recently launched some new eco-friendly accessories. We love their Multipurpose Beachpac you can attach to your beach chair!

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2. Eco-Friendly Beach Towels

Of course, the most sustainable beach towel option you have is the one you already own, but if you need a new beach towel, we have a couple of brands for you to check out below…

Coyuchi: Inspired by the striped sarape blankets of Mexico, these beautiful towels are ethically made in Turkey out of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton.

Affina: Inspired by our coral reefs, Affina's Seaweaves™ colorful beach towel collection is woven from natural brain coral and sea fan patterns on 100% Organic Cotton.

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3. Bassk Umbrella

I have wanted a beautiful, big beach umbrella for years. But I haven’t bought one yet, and I’m glad I waited because I found this fantastic brand recently!

These beauties are made with Recycled Plastic Bottle fabric called Repreve® that offers UPF 50+.

The sweet tassels are 100% cotton, and the hardware is made from recycled plastic.

They also come with a super easy assemble click-in pole mechanism, and it’s rust-resistant.

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4. Igloo Repreve Coolers

I love that Igloo has started using more eco-friendly materials with its products. These coolers are great because they are made from recycled plastic bottles and come as a tote that is much easier to carry to the beach. In addition, the Packable Puffer features REPREVE® performance fiber exterior material made from recycled post-consumer plastic bottles and Primaloft® Gold insulation made from 90% post-consumer recycled fibers. It has 8 hours of ice retention and can hold 20 cans. Find it in 5 different colors - teal, magenta, black, blue, purple.

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5. Eco-Friendly Beach Bags

You may already have a bag that works just fine, but I thought I would include a few sweet ones.

Made Trade has some lovely ones, whether you’re looking for a sturdy basket-bag or a canvas tote. My favorite type of beach bags are ones made from natural fibers like rattan. (use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC for $20 off your first order of $150+).

We also love this Pom Pom Tote from The Little Market. It's made with hand-woven raffia, and each purchase empowers artisan women at Razafindrabe Collections in Madagascar.

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6. Sustainable Swimwear

I have an entire post dedicated to sustainable swimsuits; there are so many to choose from.

However, it has been almost impossible to find swimsuits made without some synthetic fiber (if unfamiliar, these fibers are petrochemical-based and do not biodegrade like natural fibers).

Micro-plastics are still an issue in ethical swimwear, BUT brands are working to ensure not to use virgin synthetics. One of our favorite brands for sustainable swimwear is Vitamin A.

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7. Sustainable Sandals & Flip Flops

Are you looking for a new pair of flip-flops? When I think of the beach, I automatically think of flip-flops, but you could wear any sandals.

I have a post with all my favorites here, and if you prefer something easy to clean and slide into, I highly recommend Oka-B.

Third Oak is another great brand to look into.

Avoid virgin petroleum-based materials when looking for new flip-flops, and remember that investing in quality is worth it. 

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8. Non-Toxic Sunscreen

Like myself, you are probably worried about the environmental impact of some of the conventional sunscreens.

For example, sunscreen will stay in the water when swimming in the ocean, and some ecosystems are very fragile. So we need to respect their space as much as our own space.

Another big reason for the switch would be skin irritation. I’ve had a few sun breakouts with sunscreens, so I’ve become picky over the years.

Here’s my list of favorites.

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9. Sustainable Sunglasses

I’m terrible at keeping track of my sunglasses, so I try to have a couple of pairs on hand.

Luckily, several brands make eco-friendly, durable sunnies that are super cute.

So if you’re looking for new sustainable sunglasses this year, check out my recommendations below.

This list showcases eco-friendly sunglasses made with recycled and plant-based plastics.

Our favorites are from MITA.

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10. Sustainable Sun Hats

A wide-brimmed sun hat is perfect if you want more protection from the hot summer sun.

The Ombre Holiday Papale Sun Hat is handcrafted in Bali from palm leaf.

It’s easy to wear with your hair up or down!

We also love the Rattan Sun Visor, a vintage-inspired piece with a modern and playful twist. 

code: SUSTAINABLYCHIC for $20 off your first order of $150 at madetrade.com

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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

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related reading you may also enjoy:

Image: Girlfriend

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. This post is also sponsored in part by Wild About Collective. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

the best sustainable activewear brands

While we could probably get away with wearing a t-shirt and leggings, which we already have in the closet for our daily workouts, there is something about putting on a designated activewear outfit that makes our fitness much more comfortable... and bearable?

What to Look for When Shopping Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Activewear

When shopping for activewear, there are a few things I ask myself.

1) Was it made ethically?

2) What material is it made from?

The brands we list on Sustainably Chic always have a high standard of ethics when manufacturing, and if you need clarification on an unlisted brand, ask them! Most should have the info on their website, but a quick email should tell you if you can’t find it. Material-wise - this is a tough one. I prefer organic cotton for my workout clothing because it is a natural fiber (although usually mixed with spandex for stretch). These fibers don’t shed microplastics as recycled polyester does. Since many ethically-made workout clothing is made from recycled polys, you must wash it correctly to avoid the many microplastics entering the water systems. You can read more about this topic here. Whatever your preference, recycled and natural organic fibers are more sustainable choices.

Here are 8 sustainable activewear brands you will love wearing during your workouts:

1. Wild About Collective

Material | ECONYL

Price | $109-179

Wild About Collective is a sustainable luxury athleisure brand that empowers you to be you. Featuring a collection of beautifully handmade pieces made from ECONYL (regenerated nylon), each piece inspires one to live a life they are wild about. On a mission to save the oceans, their activewear is plastic-neutral, accounting for all plastic consumption by removing the equivalent weight of plastic from the oceans. The packaging is made from RPET with FSC Certified tags & OEKO-TEX 100-certified threading.

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2. tentree

Material | Recycled Polyester

Price | $24-98

A sustainable brand that makes conscious clothing and plants trees! So far, tentree has planted over 43 MILLION trees! Not only that, but they try to make their clothing as accessible as possible regarding pricing.

They created YouWear to give you the most sustainable activewear without sacrificing stretchy comfort.

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3. Pact

Material | Organic Cotton

Price | $25-45

I own a few pairs of their leggings and tanks, which are great for working out. But, especially if you don’t like ‘athletic’ wear, this organic cotton clothing is a wonderful alternative. It looks more like everyday loungewear and is incredibly affordable. After owning one pair of their leggings for six years, I can tell you the quality is excellent wash after wash!

code: SustainablyChic for 15% off

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4. Girlfriend

Materials | ECONYL®, Recycled PET, Recycled Nylon, Cupro

Price | $38-78

This brand is one of the best when it comes to size inclusivity. Girlfriend goes up to a size 6X and has so many different colors and styles to choose from. They use a lot of different fabrics, but all are made from post-consumer waste. Their facility in Taiwan specializes in eco-friendly and high-quality textiles, and their ethical cut-and-sew SA8000-certified factory is in Hanoi, Vietnam.

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5. Silverwind

Materials: RPET, Recycled Plastic Bottles

Price: $27-68

Sizes: XS-6XL

We love finding more ethically-minded brands with larger size runs, and the prints at Silverwind (a UK-based brand) are absolutely beautiful! From butterflies to floral prints, there is something for every susty girlie! Each piece is made from recycled waste, helping keep plastic out of landfills. Plus, they use 100% compostable mailers for shipping!

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6. Organic Basics

Materials | Tencel, Organic Cotton, Recycled Nylon

Price | $42-98

If you want to buy basics by the packs, this is an excellent brand. Besides their comfortable underwear, Organic Basics is home to basic crew necks, socks, and a superb activewear line made with Polygiene® Stay Fresh technology which helps keeps the laundry loads to a minimum. I have one of their sets from the Silvertech collection, & it is one of my favorites!!

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use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC for 10% off

7. RECOSIVITY

Materials | REPREVE® Recycled Polyester

Price | $89

RECOSIVITY’s buttery soft leggings are made from the number one recycled, certified, and traceable performance fiber, and they plant a tree for every order. In addition, all products are made in the USA, meaning they are one of the first activewear brands to combat the planet-killing CO2 emissions from overseas manufacturing. They also use innovations that reduce the amount of water and energy used in the dyeing process, and their sustainability promise extends to their packaging, which is 100% recycled and recyclable.

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8. Wolven

Material | OEKO-TEX certified Recycled P.E.T fabric (RPET)

Price | $36-108

Do you need a little extra pep in your step when working out? Well, look no further than Wolven. Their vibrant prints are everything you need to make working out fun. I love that you can even wear a lot of their pieces every day - not just at the gym. They have many different styles, prints, colors, and even some solid pieces (which would be awesome for mixing and matching with all of their prints!).

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9. Made Trade

Materials | Organic Cotton, Modal, Bamboo

Price | $38-110

Seriously one of the best sustainable fashion & home-curated places online, Made Trade is home to several different athleisure brands! From joggers to soft tees, they have much to choose from for your workout routine. I love this brand pictured here. Their name is Mary Young, and they have a lot of beautiful colors. They also have options if you are looking for plus size!

code: SUSTAINABLYCHIC for $20 off your first order of $150

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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

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related reading you may also enjoy:

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

sustainable dental brands & Oral Care

Looking to make your dental routine more eco-friendly? Brushing your teeth is probably something a lot of us haven’t thought about making more sustainable, but it’s still possible to get a great clean and take care of those pearly whites more naturally!

why choose sustainable dental products?

With around 2 billion plastic toothbrushes being thrown out annually in the US alone, switching to a sustainable one is more important than ever. Not only are your toothbrushes important, but your toothpaste and floss, as well. Even though a lot of conventional toothpaste is dental-approved, most of it has been harsh on my mouth. I’ve wanted to find an alternative where I wasn’t constantly purchasing plastic tubes with ingredients I knew nothing about. So I switched to natural tablet toothpaste this past year and loved them. I still always have great dental checkups, and I’m cutting back on my plastic waste! It’s a win-win.

THE AVERAGE AMERICAN PRODUCES OVER 280 POUNDS OF PLASTIC WASTE EVERY YEAR

& a lot of that waste can be found within the bathroom. From our mouthwash to toothpaste, almost everything we use for our teeth is packaged in plastic. It can be challenging to eliminate from your bathroom, but a few brands are working to help us with this!

now, our top picks for sustainable oral care:

Nada

Toothbrushes (adults & kids), replacement brush heads, travel cases

Nada’s toothbrush handles are made from aluminum, which is infinitely recyclable. (And they’re available in lots of different colors, too.) The replacement heads are 100% recyclable. In addition, each shipment comes with a self-addressed envelope so that when it’s time to replace your brush head, you can easily ship it back to Nada, and they will pay for it to be commercially recycled. These toothbrushes have other mouth-friendly features, like tapered bristles, a built-in tongue scraper, an elevated brush head, and a smooth surface that will lay flat on your countertop.

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use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC10 for 10% off

Green Eco Dream

Toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, toothbrush holders, floss

Green Eco Dream is a marketplace where you can find a full collection of non-toxic, eco-friendly, and low- or zero-waste oral care products (in addition to other beauty products and home goods, too!) Whether you prefer traditional toothpaste or toothpaste tablets, they have several different options to choose from, so you can take great care of your teeth without the extra waste! They’re also a Green America Certified Business and a member of 1% For the Planet.

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Nix Mouthwash

Eco-Friendly & Non-Toxic Mouthwash

This is honestly the best eco-friendly and non-toxic mouthwash I’ve tried!

It’s made with high-quality ingredients, without any alcohol or toxic chemicals.

The bottle is refillable, too, making it very low waste & the perfect sustainable bathroom swap.

Plus, 10% of profits go toward dental care for underprivileged U.S. children and abroad.

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EcoRoots

Toothpastes, Toothbrushes, Floss

Everything you need for a clean mouth can be found here! EcoRoots is all about lowering your waste at home, and their dental hygiene products make that very easy. Besides their biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes, they have zero-waste vegan floss made from organic and sustainable bamboo fiber with activated charcoal - and it’s compostable! They also always ship plastic-free with compostable, recyclable materials. Plus, they give 1% to Ocean Conservancy to preserve our blue planet.

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Mable

Bamboo Toothbrushes & Floss

This was one of the first bamboo toothbrush brands I ever used. I love their design and how they can sit up on their own. Plus, the colors are fun, and kids like them, too! Mable even has an excellent subscription service, so you don’t need reminders to change your toothbrush every month! Also, for every toothbrush you buy, they give one to a child here in the U.S.

code: SustainablyChic15 for 15% off

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Quip

Eco-Friendly Electric Toothbrush, Refillable Floss, Toothpaste, Kids Toothbrush

I’ve been using this toothbrush for months now! While I still use bamboo while we travel, I missed having an electric toothbrush back home. Bamboo is excellent, but to find an eco-alternative for electric is fantastic.

These aluminum-based brushes provide sonic vibrations with a 2-minute timer, 30-second pulses, & multi-use cover, and are meant to last a lifetime. You can even get a solar battery charger!

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by Humankind

Zero-Waste Toothpaste, Floss, Mouthwash, Toothbrushes

Using Humankind products for just one year will save the planet up to 5 pounds of single-use plastic waste.

They offer almost everything you need in personal care, from deodorants to mouthwash. This is a brand we use at home, & it’s so great.

Once you finish an item, you order a refill, helping you cut down on plastic!!

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Credo Beauty

Their mission is to change the beauty industry for the better since it is one of the least regulated consumer categories. Isn’t it crazy that companies can legally use known harmful chemicals - or ones that have not even been evaluated?!

There is also so much Greenwashing within the beauty industry, but with Credo, you can trust everything is transparent, clean & safe for you to use and enjoy.

One of their best sellers is their coconut oil-infused dental floss, which is vegan & gluten-free!

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The Detox Market

Another amazing beauty marketplace, The Detox Market keeps their ethos simple: no compromises.

You can feel confident purchasing from this place because aesthetics is never the number one factor.

If performance is lacking or questionable ingredients are found, they will not offer it on their site. Their Banned Ingredients List is the strictest in the country, and no product will have any that are listed. If you’ve been interested in oil pulling, their brand Keeko I hear is a great one to try!

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Blk & Grn

This incredible online marketplace is home to all non-toxic, Black-owned brands! Their Black artisans are carefully chosen by Black health experts who know what an authentic all-natural product looks like. Their approval process is rigorous & they don’t add anything; it meets every requirement. They carry products from over 60 Black artisans, ranging from green beauty and skincare to wellness and health.

One of the oral care brands they carry is Dirt Don’t Hurt, known for its all-natural activated charcoal tooth powder.

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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

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RELATED READING YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:

Image: LowTides

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

Brands Who Use Recycled Materials to Create New Sustainable Products

Some of the most interesting sustainable products are the ones made from other people's trash. So many brands recycle waste into new products for us to love again.

What Types of Recycled Materials Are They Using?

From recycled metals to recycled fibers, it's amazing what you can do to prolong an object's life. I love knowing the history behind what I wear and use every day, and with these products, you usually don't know what the first product was until someone tells you - 'oh yeah, that was made out of old t-shirts, OR that was made out of plastic bottles.' That's how advanced we are when it comes to recycling. These aren't your average home recycling projects. With each brand, I tell you what type of recycled materials they are using, and you can find everything from recycled food to recycled plastic. They are truly unique!

15 Sustainable Brands Using Recycled Materials:

1) Shades of Green

Materials: Recycled Fibers, Wood, Cast Iron, Plastic

This beautiful enameled cookware is made from 40% recycled cast iron.

These are just some of the few Shades of Green products made from recycled materials. You can also find blankets and other kitchen utensils.

This online marketplace only showcases products that have undergone rigorous evaluation and are made to last you many years.

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2) 2°EAST

Materials: Recycled Plastic Bottles

Like many eco-friendly brands, it started with a simple question: "Is it possible to produce a quality, everyday watch that doesn't cost the earth?". These watches are consciously made with the planet in mind, but they also think about our wallets and budgets with their more affordable price. Their interchangeable NATO strap line is made with 100% post-consumer recycled PET (RePET). Plus, their packaging is 100% recycled and recyclable.

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3) Allégorie

Materials: Recycled Apple & Mango Peels

More than 30% of mangos are wasted during harvesting and transportation, and another 7% are wasted in supermarkets.

Allégorie has collected discarded mangos from supermarkets. They’ve also collected apple peels from the juice industry since the juice industry generates 1.4 million tons of apple peel waste each year! They take both fruits and create textiles through eco-friendly processes.

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4) Atelier Saucier

Materials: Reclaimed Fabrics

ATELIER SAUCIER is a modern tabletop design house based in Los Angeles for sustainable + customizable linens.

With backgrounds in the food + fashion industries, founders (and best friends) Nikki Reed and Staci Inspektor set out to combine their varied experiences and shared passion for hosting; and introduce a fresh, elevated perspective to all things table linens. ATELIER SAUCIER is where entertaining, dining, and design intersect.

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5) Dr. Scholl’s Shoes

Materials: Recycled Plastic Bottles

I was so excited to partner up with Dr.Scholl’s this past spring to show you all the new sustainable initiatives they have been implementing over the last couple of years.

They have started using plastic bottles to create their range of shoes for men, women & children (plus many other sustainable materials).

You can read all about their more eco-friendly materials in their brand feature here.

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6) EarthHero

Materials: Recycled Plastic, Rubber, Paper, Etc…

This eco-friendly online marketplace is home to hundreds of brands, many of which use recycled materials to create new products.

I wrote a post on Eco-Friendly Office Supplies about a year ago showcasing some unique products they offer for your home workspace.

So many excellent recycled goods!

code: SustainablyChic10 for 10% off

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7) Lo & Sons

Materials: Recycled Plastic Bottles

I own one of their organic cotton duffles, and their quality is excellent. In addition to Lo & Sons’ organic cotton collection, they also have several pieces made from recycled polyester. Using this recycled fabric, you can find many of their designs, from backpacks to large weekend duffles. Recycled polyesters are great for traveling because they are easy to clean off, and you don’t feel guilty about using virgin plastics.

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8) LowTides

Materials: Recycled Ocean Plastic

With a truckload of plastic being dumped into our oceans every day (yeah, it’s terrible), there has to be something positive to come from all the waste.

Low Tides uses this ocean plastic to create its collection of chairs, and the prints are so fun! These chairs are very easy to carry with their two back straps.

They also have 2 cup holders to enjoy refreshing drinks while watching the waves.

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9) Made Trade

Materials: Recycled Plastic, Rubber, Yarn

I’m sure you have seen this shop on my site a few times already! Made Trade is home to several of my favorite sustainable brands - many of which use recycled materials to create their products.

I’ve attached a link with all of Made Trade’s goods composed of post-consumer waste, and there are A LOT of them!! From clothes to your closet to dining in your kitchen, it’s amazing how many products are created from waste.

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10) Micro Kickboard

Materials: Recycled Fishnets

Micro Kickboard is well-known for their kid scooters and fun helmets, but recently they released an ECO scooter made from recycled, discarded fishnets. My son loves this scooter, and we ride it around the neighborhood almost daily.

The Mini Deluxe is $90 and is for 2-5-year-olds, and the Maxi Deluxe is $140 and is for ages 5-12. They both come with a gold standard 2-year manufacturer's warranty. Indeed a superb buy!

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11) Paravel

Materials: Recycled Bottles

Paravel is a sustainable travel brand dedicated to exploring the world while minimizing our impact on it. They make one of the most sustainable carry-ons with a durable recycled polycarbonate exterior; recycled zippers, a lining made from 15 upcycled plastic water bottles; vegan leather details and wrapped steel handles; and an aircraft-grade recycled aluminum handle.

I own one, and it really is a nice piece of luggage!

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12) Look Optic

Materials: Recycled TR-90

Merging featherweight, fashion-forward design with 100% Recycled TR-90, LOOK OPTIC's collection of sustainable eyewear offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditionally disposable readers, blue-light glasses, and sunglasses. Actively giving back to promote a more sustainable feature, the brand partners with Lion's Club to help upcycle and redistribute old frames and TerraCycle to assist in repurposing hard-to-recycle elements (frames, lenses and hinges), transforming old frames into running tracks, playgrounds, & more.

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13) Malaika New York

Materials: Deadstock, Upcycled Bike Tubes, Recycled PET

Malaika New York’s unique zero waste designs embrace the female body, focusing on comfort, versatility, and timelessness. Their simple yet powerful designs can be styled in a variety of different ways. Malaika is a great choice if you feel like trends are wasteful and are building a high-quality capsule collection.

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14) All the Wild Roses

Materials: Surplus Fabrics

I've always thought of this brand as the ethical Free People. It's romantic, free-spirited, and all-around lovely.

All the Wild Roses uses a lot of surplus fabrics to create their designs. We love when brands use fabric that has already been created rather than something new. They are also now a Certified B-Corp Brand!

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15) RECOSIVITY

Materials: REPREVE® Recycled Polyester

RECOSIVITY’s buttery soft leggings are made from the number one recycled, certified, and traceable performance fiber, and they plant a tree for every order. In addition, all products are made in the USA, meaning they are one of the first activewear brands to combat the planet-killing CO2 emissions from overseas manufacturing. They also use innovations that reduce the amount of water and energy used in the dyeing process, and their sustainability promise extends to their packaging, which is 100% recycled and recyclable.

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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

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related reading you may also enjoy:

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated, so we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. This post is also sponsored in part by Passion Lillie. We only add brands & products we truly believe in.

Affordable Sustainable & Ethical Dresses Perfect for the Minimalist

Looking to add a new ethical dress to your wardrobe? We’ve compiled a list of affordable, sustainable dresses perfect for the minimalist wardrobe. Most of these dresses here are under $125, and all are ethically made & out of eco-friendly fabrics. These are mostly solid colors to add to a capsule wardrobe easily, but there are a few neutral prints you may enjoy. We love versatile dresses that are comfortable and easy to dress up or down, depending on where you are going. Enjoy!

What Makes a Dress Ethical or Sustainable?

When thinking in terms of ethics - Does the brand pay the manufacturer fairly? Is the farmer growing the cotton treated fairly, as well? Depending on your values, you will look for different things when shopping ethically. For example, if you are vegan, you would ensure the dress does not contain animal products. 

I find sustainable fashion to be the main focus & includes the term ‘ethical.’ Typically, for a dress to be considered ‘sustainable,’ it should be eco-friendly, ethically made, lasting, and accessible. Of course, we could make a long list of what a sustainable dress should be, but these are the key characteristics I look for when deciding on my purchase. There is a simple checklist to find at the end of this post here, and in this post, you can learn much more about sustainable fashion and how you can participate in the movement.

Looking for something more formal? Click here.

& before I dive into this post… I have to get something off my chest.

What is ‘affordable’ ethical fashion?

I received this comment on Pinterest:

“literally none of these are “affordable” 😂 $128 for a dress i can buy at target for $25”

I’m sure some of you may be thinking the same thing… But if you are paying $25 for a dress, know someone is being taken advantage of - and cheap goods (like a fast-fashion dress at Target) only continue to support poverty. If you want to ensure the farmer and maker are paid a fair wage, paying only $25 for a dress is unheard of. This is not possible! $40 would be the absolute least inexpensive you could find in an ethical brand, and that dress would be very simple. If you can not spend $128 on a quality, ethically-made dress that will last you years and years, purchase a second-hand dress - or love the dresses you already have. Don’t go to Target or another fast-fashion store because you want to pay less. Fashion is not supposed to be cheap! There are people behind the clothes you wear, and those people need to make a fair wage for their work <3 

Clothing consumption is up 400% from nearly two decades ago. Most people purchase not out of necessity but out of want and to keep up with trends. Fast fashion only exists because of this - not because it caters to poor people. People who live on very low wages, who need clothing, and who are purchasing from fast brands are not the problem.

read more about sustainable fashion - here - and fast fashion - here -

Now, our top picks for minimalist dresses that are sustainable & ethical:

1) Jaya Wrap Dress

Brand: Passion Lilie

Price: $120

Material: Cotton & Recycled Cotton

This lovely dress is curve-friendly and flattering for all body types - even for nursing mothers! It is handwoven and handmade ethically in India.

Your purchase helps provide a secure job with fair wages and a positive working environment to artisans in India and the United States.

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2) Blaire Dress

Brand: Carve Designs

Price: $98

Material: Organic Cotton

This collarless button-down is paired with a flouncy tiered skirt and sweet ruffle detail - and comes in 4 different colors (navy, olive, white & pink). As a company born at the beach and endlessly inspired by the outdoors, Carve prides itself on crafting fashion-forward everyday designs made of sustainable materials.

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3) Ballet Dress

Brand: Kotn

Price: $118 (code KOTNCHIC10 for 10% off)

Material: Cotton

4) Mika T-Shirt Dress

Brand: 337

Price: $59

Material: Organic Cotton & Bamboo

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5) Your T-Shirt Dress

Brand: Pareto

Price: $68

Material: Organic Cotton

6) Chrysalis Cardi

Brand: Encircled

Price: $183

Material: Lenzing Modal® 

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7) The Linen Workwear Dress

Brand: Everlane

Price: $98

Material: Linen

8) Convertible Shirt Dress

Brand: Vetta

Price: on sale $89

Material: Organic Cotton & Recycled Poly

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9) Reese Dress

Brand: Ably

Price: $80

Material: Modal

10) Lite T-Shirt Dress

Brand: Organic Basics

Price: on sale for $39

Material: Tencel

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11) Jane Maxi Dress

Brand: ABLE

Price: on sale for $78

Material: Cotton

12) Airplane Tank Dress

Brand: Pact

Price: on sale for $70

Material: Organic Cotton

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13) Naomi Workout Dress

Brand: Girlfriend

Price: on sale $62

Material: Recycled Plastic Bottles

14) Zendaya Dress

Brand: Amour Vert

Price: on sale $67

Material: Tencel

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15) Poplin Dress

Brand: For Days

Price: $98

Material: Organic Cotton

16) Isla Dress

Brand: Whimsy & Row

Price: on sale $40

Material: Organic Cotton

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17) Denver Frill Dress

Brand: Thought

Price: on sale $25

Material: Organic Cotton

18) Cascadence Sweater Dress

Brand: prAna

Price: on sale $48

Material: Organic Cotton, Recycled Poly & Wool

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19) Fit + Flare Midi Dress

Brand: Happy Earth

Price: on sale for $52

Material: Organic Cotton

20) Royal Toscana Dress

Brand: Magic Linen

Price: $89

Material: Linen

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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

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