My Top 10 Reusables for a Sustainable Summer

*Affiliate Links

If you know me, you’ll know that I absolutely LOVE reusables. Not only are they great for the environment, but they are also super handy and save you money in the long run. I am often online singing the praises of reusable nappies or a reusable coffee cup, so I thought my next step could be to help you make some sustainable choices for the summer months. Here are my top reusables for this season… How many will you be able to tick off?

Reusable Water Bottle

I mean, it had to be first, didn’t it? A reusable water bottle is the most useful reusable item around. You can choose from such a wide range of shapes, styles, sizes and materials, allowing you to have a bottle for every occasion. Who wants to be spending out time and time again on water in a plastic bottle when you can just take your own everywhere you go? Filling up is usually quite easy nowadays too, all cafes/pubs etc should happily provide you with a refill, and many towns/cities have refill stations dotted about. You can get reusable water bottles just about anywhere, but there is plenty of choice over at the eco store Peace with The Wild.

Reusable Coffee/Tea Cup

Similar to above, when you’re out and about, being prepared will help you to reduce waste and possibly save money (some cafes offer a discount if you bring your own cup). Now I know one of the drawbacks of carrying one is that it can be bulky to pack but a collapsible cup like this one from Big Green Smile is the perfect solution.

Flask

If you are heading on a long walk/hike or having a summer beach day and aren’t going to be near to a cafe, then a flask is an essential addition to help keep you going. There are plenty of choices in shops, supermarkets and online, but in my search, I came across an amazing range at One Green Bottle.

Reusable Sandwich Bags

These have to be one of our most-used and favourite reusable purchases over the years. We have a sandwich bag each, which means every single time we pack a picnic, these are used. Every time one of the children has a school packed lunch, these are used. Every time we are out all day and take snacks and food, these are used. I sometimes wonder how much money and waste we have saved by switching to these and ditching that awful clingfilm. We have the Keepleaf ones, which we bought from Ethical Superstore here.

Reusable Containers

Following on from the above, any type of container that can be used, washed and reused is a picnic essential. This could be something you already own – how many takeaway containers do you have in the cupboards, or maybe those pots you used when your kids were babies? Shop your cupboards before you part with your money. You will easily be able to find anything else you need in eco shops.

Reusable Silicone Ice Pop/lolly Moulds

When our summer hits, it really hits, and this often leads to us all looking for a quick way to cool down – hello ice lollies! As great as they are, these are usually wrapped in plastic and, of course, they can cost quite a bit. One way to get around this whilst still keeping everyone happy is by buying ice lolly/ice pop moulds and having a go at making your own super tasty versions. With loads of recipes available online and a range of shopping options, you can be both creative and sustainable.

Reusable Wipes

And if you need to mop up some of that mess created from your ice lollies or when out on your picnics, why not swap out those (often plastic-filled) single-use wipes for reusable ones? I promise that they aren’t at all tricky – you can take them out dry and wet them as you need (using a tap or that reusable water bottle) or you can dampen them at home and carry them out in a reusable tub or wet bag. Once used, pop them into a separate wet bag so they can be washed when you’re home (no rush). Reusable wipes are simply water and material, which is usually bamboo/cotton, making them gentle on your and your children’s skin. No perfumes, no plastics, no chemicals and no waste. Perfect! There are lots of options over at Etsy right now.

Reusable Swim Nappies

Even if reusable nappies aren’t for you or you aren’t quite ready to explore that avenue just yet, a reusable swim nappy is a really simple swap to at least make this summer. All swim nappies are designed to do one thing – keep the poo in! None are made to hold in wee because if they did this, they’d also hold the pool water, which would make them heavy and a risk. With this in mind, buying single-use swim nappies to put on and then throw away after every use seems pretty wasteful, doesn’t it? Reusable nappies do the same job, except you can wash and dry them, getting months and months of use, which will save you so much money. A good combo is the Bambino Mio nappy with a Splashabout Happy Nappy over the top.

Swim Period Pants and Costumes

We are so lucky to have such a wide range of reusable period products available now – cloth pads, menstrual cups, menstrual discs and period pants. But did you know that swim period pants and period swimming costumes also exist? These are ideal for those beach and pool summer days, especially if you want to steer clear of single-use products and perhaps if you don’t quite get on with a cup. WUKA Wear have a fantastic range right now, and if you’d like to find out more, you can read my review of their swim bikini pants here.

Reusable Water Balloons

Yes, you read that right, reusable water balloons are a thing and they are a reusable that we LOVE! Not only do these clever silicone balloons prevent a huge amount of waste, but they also allow for that water balloon fight to, well, never end! You simply open them up, pop them into a bowl/bucket of water, gently let them go, and once they are filled, the 2 sides come together and fix in place with the covered magnets. My kids have had so much fun with ours over the last 3 years and they are still going strong now. You can read our Soppycid Reusable Water Balloons Review here, and if you are interested, I can give you 15% off with my code EMMAREED15 at the checkout on their website.

Hopefully, this list has given you some inspiration for being a little more sustainable this summer, but if it’s left you eager to find even more reusables, I actually have 55 for you to consider in this blog here.

Which switch do you think you could make next?

*This post contains affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission if you purchase via them. This will not affect how much you pay or your overall shopping experience. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.