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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Fleur Britten

From swimwear to toys: how to go plastic-free for a day at the beach

A man on a rock above a beach with a wooden board in his hand
Surf Wood for Good rents out birch-plywood bellyboards as an alternative to polystyrene. Photograph: Luke Gartside/surf wood for good

Pre-1950, we just didn’t take plastic to the beach. Now it’s virtually impossible not to, even if it’s just you and your swimmers. “If you’re looking for plastic-free nirvana, you may never find it,” says Anne-Marie Soulsby, aka the Sustainable Lifecoach. Matters are improving – though there’s usually a premium to pay if you want to minus cheap plastic from the mix. So why not borrow the plastic that already exists from friends, family or your local Library of Things. And don’t forget your reusable cutlery and containers for eating and drinking à la plage. If you can’t track down beach essentials from these sources, these are the other best ways to avoid seaside plastic pollution.

Swimwear

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