13 Items You Should Never Bring to a Beach If You Care About It
Here’s a look at 13 items you might not think twice about bringing to the beach, but if you care about preserving these beautiful spaces, you’ll want to leave them at home. From harmful chemicals in sunscreens to the seemingly harmless beach toys, each item on this list has a negative impact on the environment or poses a safety risk. Keeping these items off the sand helps ensure that beaches remain clean, safe, and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
Sunscreen with Harmful Chemicals
One of the most overlooked yet significant contributors to marine pollution is sunscreen. While essential for protecting skin from harmful UV rays, many conventional sunscreens contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate. These substances have been shown to cause coral bleaching and harm marine life.
Sand Toys Made of Plastic
Plastic sand toys are ubiquitous on beaches but can be problematic. They often get left behind, broken, or swept away by the tide, contributing to plastic pollution. These toys can break down into microplastics, which are nearly impossible to clean up
Single-Use Plastic Water Bottles
Plastic water bottles are a common sight at the beach, but they contribute significantly to plastic pollution. These bottles often end up in the ocean, where they can take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing harmful chemicals and microplastics.
Magnifying Glass
While seemingly harmless, in bright sunlight, magnifying glasses can become a fire hazard, focusing sunlight into a potent beam that can burn dry grasses or other flammable materials.
Laser Pointers
Laser pointers can not only annoy other beachgoers but also disturb and potentially harm marine life, such as sea turtles, which are sensitive to light disturbances.
Balloons
Some might consider releasing balloons at the beach for celebrations or memorials. However, balloons can be incredibly harmful to the environment once they land in the ocean or on the beach. Marine creatures might mistake them for food, leading to ingestion that can be fatal. Ribbons and strings pose entanglement risks to wildlife.
Barbecue Grills
Many beaches do not allow grilling due to fire risks and pollution. Always check the local guidelines before planning a beach BBQ.
Drones (without permission)
Drones can invade people’s privacy and disturb wildlife, especially birds. Always check local regulations before flying a drone.
Alcohol
The general rule is that public consumption of alcohol is prohibited in multiple countries. Many beaches explicitly ban alcohol due to its role in disorderly behavior and potential accidents.
Fireworks
Fireworks can disturb local wildlife and pose a fire hazard in many beach areas, especially during dry seasons.
Cigarettes
They are a significant source of pollution, and their filters are non-biodegradable and toxic to marine animals.
Glass Containers
These can break and leave dangerous shards in the sand, posing a risk to barefoot beachgoers and animals.
Large Speakers
While music can enhance the mood, loud music can disturb other beachgoers and wildlife; use headphones instead.
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Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.