Eco-Friendly Beach Towels and Our Promise to the Ocean

Every year, The Riviera Towel Company gives 5% of its net profits to organizations that heal and protect the ocean, and we've donated $76,439.30 so far. We also believe the most eco-friendly beach towel is a durable one: a natural-fiber Turkish cotton towel you'll use for years, instead of disposables or towels that wear out after a season. Here's why the ocean matters so much to us, and a few simple ways you can help too.

Why the ocean is at the heart of what we do

We're a Santa Barbara company, and the Pacific is part of daily life here. It's where we swim, surf, walk the dog and watch the sun go down. Our towels were made for days by the water, so caring for the water feels like the most natural thing in the world.

That's why we've committed to giving back a share of what we earn. Every year, 5% of our net profits go to organizations working to clean up, restore and protect the ocean. You can read more about our commitment on our mission page.

Why ocean health matters

The ocean does a remarkable amount of quiet work for all of us. It helps regulate the climate, produces a large share of the oxygen we breathe, supports countless species and feeds communities around the world. Kelp forests, like the ones just off the Santa Barbara coast, provide shelter and food for a huge variety of marine life.

But the ocean faces real pressure from plastic pollution, runoff, warming waters and habitat loss. Much of the trash that ends up in the sea starts on land, carried by storm drains, rivers and wind. The good news is that many of the solutions start on land too, which means everyday choices really can add up.

Simple ways you can help protect the ocean

You don't have to change everything at once. A few easy habits make a difference, especially when lots of people adopt them:

• Join a beach cleanup. Local groups and community organizations host cleanups throughout the year. Or start your own: bring a bag on your next beach walk and pick up what you find.
• Leave the beach better than you found it. Pack out everything you bring, including bottle caps, snack wrappers and cigarette butts.
• Choose reef-friendly sun care. Many swimmers prefer mineral sunscreens, and some places have rules about certain sunscreen ingredients. Check local guidance, and cover up with a hat or wrap to use less sunscreen overall.
• Skip single-use plastics. Bring a refillable water bottle, reusable cups and a tote bag to the beach.
• Use reusable towels instead of disposables. Paper towels, disposable wipes and cheap throwaway towels add up. One good towel can replace a lot of waste.
• Watch what goes down the drain. In many coastal cities, storm drains flow toward the ocean, so keep litter, oil and chemicals out of the street.
• Support brands that give back. When you shop, look for companies that put part of their profits toward causes you care about.

Why Turkish cotton towels are a lower-waste choice

When people ask us what makes a beach towel eco-friendly, our answer is simple: buy fewer, better things, and use them for a long time. Turkish cotton towels fit that idea well.

Natural fiber

Our Turkish towels are made from cotton, a natural fiber. That's a meaningful difference from towels and blankets made from fully synthetic materials, which shed plastic microfibers when washed.

Built to last

The flat weave of a Turkish towel is strong, and many people find the towels get softer with every wash rather than wearing thin. A towel you keep for years is a towel that doesn't need replacing, which is one of the simplest ways to reduce waste.

Lighter and quicker to dry

Turkish towels are thinner than traditional terry towels, so they dry quickly in the sun or on a line. Many people find they can skip the dryer entirely, which saves energy.

One towel, many jobs

A single Turkish towel can be a beach towel, sarong, picnic blanket, scarf and travel towel. Owning one versatile piece instead of several single-purpose items means less stuff overall. Our Essential Turkish Towel is a great example: simple, classic and ready for anything.

Small habits, shared by many

It's easy to feel that one person's choices can't matter much next to a problem as big as the ocean. But the beach is a shared place, and so is the work of caring for it. When one family brings a bag for trash, the kids next to them notice. When a group of friends shows up for a cleanup, they bring more friends next time. Habits spread.

Think of the small swaps: a Turkish towel in the kitchen instead of a roll of paper towels, a towel kept in the car for spontaneous swims, or a stack of reusable towels at a beach house so guests never reach for disposables. None of it is dramatic, and that's the point. Simple, repeatable choices are the ones that last.

How to pack a low-waste beach day

Here's what we bring for a day at Leadbetter or East Beach:

• A Turkish towel for lying out, drying off and covering up
• A reusable tote from our beach bags and totes
• A refillable water bottle and snacks in reusable containers
• A hat and a light wrap for sun protection
• A small bag for any trash you find along the way

A drawstring bag like our Santa Barbara Essential Drawstring Bag is handy for keeping a sandy towel separate from everything else on the way home.

Every purchase helps

When you choose a towel from our Essential Collection, the LOVE from Santa Barbara Beach Towel or anything else in the shop, you're part of our commitment to the ocean. A share of what we earn goes back to the water that inspires everything we make. Thank you for being part of it.

Frequently asked questions

Does The Riviera Towel Company give back to the ocean?

Yes. Every year, The Riviera Towel Company gives 5% of its net profits to organizations that heal and protect the ocean. We've donated $76,439.30 so far.

What makes a beach towel eco-friendly?

An eco-friendly beach towel is made from natural fiber, built to last for years and versatile enough to replace other items. Durable Turkish cotton towels are a good choice because they're long-lasting, quick-drying and reusable.

Are Turkish towels sustainable?

Turkish cotton towels are a lower-waste choice than disposables or synthetic towels because they're made from a natural fiber, last a long time and dry quickly, often without a dryer. Using one towel for many purposes also means owning less overall.

How can I help protect the ocean on a beach day?

Pack out all your trash, pick up litter you find, bring reusable bottles and bags, use reusable towels instead of disposables, and follow local guidance on sunscreen. Joining a local beach cleanup is another easy way to help.

Where can I learn more about your ocean mission?

You can read about our commitment to the ocean on our mission page at RivieraTowel.com, or stop by our shop at 17 W. Gutierrez St. in Santa Barbara.