The Best Sand Free Beach Towels are Plastic Free and $19

Whoever thought it was a good idea to make a plastic beach towel!

The Aussie summer is fast approaching and that means sun, sand, sea and saltwater. 
Long days, light summer nights, picnics, days out at the beach. 

For those who love to spend time at the beach but regret it when they return home and find tiny particles of sand on their floor, in their bed and in most unexpected places, the idea of a sand free beach towel is sheer bliss. 

The problem with many sand free beach towels is that they’re made from synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon. When you shake the sand out of your synthetic towel, it sheds thousands of tiny plastic microfibres onto the sand. It’s only a matter of time until they make into the ocean.
 
Microfibres are the biggest source of plastic in our ocean!
 
What are plastic microfibres?
Plastic particles less than 5mm shaped as fibrous material.
 
Numerous studies have shown that these plastic particles are mistakenly ingested by hundreds of marine animals ranging from microscopic zooplankton to mussels, oyster, shrimps, crabs and fish,  polluting the food chain and possibly ending up in your seafood linguine.
 
A new beach towel marks the start of summer.  It’s that iconic summer product that’s intrinsic to fun filled summer days.
 
Choosing this summer’s beach towel.
Things to consider when choosing this summer’s beach towel for you or as a gift for a friend.
  1. Is it plastic free
  2. Is it sand repellent
  3. Is it super absorbent
  4. Is it quick dry
  5. Is it made of natural fibres
  6. Is the size right
  7. Do the colours and design make you feel good
The right beach towel becomes a friend.   You feel good being out with it!
Everyone loves sand free but get the right sand free.
There are 2 types of sand free beach towels.
 
Synthetic Microfibre towels:
Made from recently engineered textiles, called microfibres, often labelled with trademarked names that promise to be sand free with a shake.
What’s the problem?  These towels are made from synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon, which are made from non-renewable petroleum derivatives. Over 10 years ago, ecologist Mark Brown released a study showing textile fibres could be the biggest source of plastic in our oceans.  It seems ironic then to take a synthetic towel to the beach, the very place where these plastic fibres head straight out into the ocean.

Beware too of promises of sustainably made sand free towels constructed from recycled plastic bottles, as these too shed micro plastics.
 
Double Sided Cotton Velour and Terry Towels
The sustainable and classic alternative sand free beach towel is made from 100% natural fibres.
The double-sided construction of the beach towel, with one side terry towelling and one side velour gives you the best of both worlds.
Lay out your towel velour side up to repel the sand and use the super absorbent terry towel side to dry off after your dip.
Before you leave the beach feel confident that you can shake out your towel without leaving tiny plastic fibres behind.
 
 
What’s wrong with synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon, combinations of which are also called “microfibers.”
Microfibres are the biggest form of pollution in our ocean and Brown’s study has shown that 85% of human made material found on shorelines around the world, were microfibres from nylon and acrylic textiles.  But it’s not only the threat to the ocean; micro plastics have been found in the food we eat, the air we breathe and the water we drink.  It’s a major source of concern to our health and the full consequences are gradually emerging.
 
Synthetic textiles account for over half of global textile production.  Getting rid of polyester and nylon in clothes may be extremely difficult but you do not need to have synthetic fibres in your bed, bath and beach linens!
Choose the right beach towel.
 
Don’t take plastic to the beach take it home from the beach and leave only your footprints behind.

Ecodownunder new season beach towels include an extensive collection of organic cotton towels, eco cotton towels,  Turkish style towels and hammam towels in pure natural fibres.  You'll find a towel you'll love all summer from their retro stripes, summer sorbet colours or cool patterns for kids of all ages.