EnviroMojo: Greenify Your Beach Bag

Heading to the beach for the 4th of July holiday? Before you go, take a look in your beach bag for ways to greenify your sun and sand filled celebration.

Greenify Your Beach Bag Sunscreen Secrets
Protecting yourself from sun damage is important. However, many sunscreens contain chemicals and preservatives that have not only been found to be dangerous to humans but are also damaging ocean life. In a recent Environmental Health Perspectives study, researchers found that some of those ingredients can also trigger viral infections in coral, causing them to bleach and die. So to keep your skin and the seas safe, check out the Green Guide to Sunscreen before you head out shopping or choose one of these sunblockers recommended by Plenty Magazine:

Go Organic
If it's time to replace your favorite beach towel or bikini, look for products made with organic cotton. Organic cotton has a much lower impact on the environment, reducing the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. It's both better for the environment and those of us with sensitive skin. Fig & Sage recommends organic cotton beach towels from Indika Organics. But if you are on more of a budget, check out this leopard print organic cotton beach towel from Target. Kelly B has an organic cotton line of swimwear for those of you with beach-ready bodies and charge cards with space to spare.

Wash with Care
Be careful what shower products you take with you to the beach to clean up with after your day in the sun as well. A recent Slate article revealed that many of the exfoliating beads found in your typical body wash were actually made out of plastic. Since plastic never biodegrades, the tiny particles of polyethylene slide down the drain and eventual find their way into the ocean. And because these particles are so small, they are much more likely to end up in the stomach of some innocent fish. So when you are shopping for a new bottle of exfoliating wash, look for products that use salt, pumice, or ground up seeds to do the trick and skip the little plastic beads. Check out these more eco-friendly replacements:

Recycled=Fun!
Whether you are planning to picnic in the sand or use it to build castles, recycled materials are the way to go. Check out these green beach toys made primarily out of recycled milk containers and don't forget the preserve ® tableware made from 100% recycled materials.

What are your favorite earth-friendly beach bag must-haves?