Your "Upcycled" Beach Trip

Summer is officially upon us and we don’t know about you, but we’re ready for a trip to the beach! This time of year it’s easy to get distracted by all of the new bathing suit styles, prints, beach gear and more. But what if we told you that you can get ready for the beach by “upcycling” items already laying around your house? It may be hard to believe, but trust us – you’ll be headed to the beach in style with these simple, fun and environmentally-friendly DIYs:

• Looking for a chic coverup for your trip? With just one yard of fabric (hint: there are tons of cheap fabrics at your local thrift store like Savers or charity like St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army or Goodwill!) and a few additional items, you’ll be ready to go!
• Looking for a large blanket for you and your friends to sit on? Don’t buy a new one – you can sew old beach towels together and make enough space for everyone!
• Need a way to carry your sunglasses, phone, sunscreen and more? Take an old pair of jeans and fashion your own one-of-a-kind tote bag!

Sure, it can be more convenient to head to your favorite beach shop and buy new items each year, but it’s important to consider its effect on our environment. For instance, did you know reusing your textiles (any fabric made of interlacing fibers) reduces the need for more landfill space, the amount of pollution created by incinerators and also helps to save the environment from a multitude of harsh chemicals, waste products and wastewater?

If you have any ideas on ways to upcycle items around the house for summertime fun, we’d love to hear from you! We also invite you to learn more about textile reuse and recycling by visiting www.smartasn.org or connecting with us on Facebook or Twitter.