From protecting valuable electronics to keeping food fresh, waterproof storage boxes play a vital role. The challenges faced by beachgoers can be overcome by smart solutions that will make your day out effortless.
Hidden perils of a day at the beach
Most people underestimate the challenges of deciding what to bring to the beach for a family day out. You’ve packed the sunscreen, grabbed the kids, and claimed your patch of beach, but suddenly, sand is everywhere. It’s in your crisps, on your Kindle, and somehow even in your closed sandwich bag!
Then there’s the water - waves, rogue splashes and even condensation from your cooler create the worst possible mix of electronics and moisture. Let’s not forget the wind, which can turn lightweight items such as towels, food wrappers and parasols into airborne hazards. Then there’s the sun, which transforms your fresh sandwiches and crispy side salad into a soggy mess. The combination of sun and sand adds an extra element to picnic food, which develops that gritty taste that only a day on the beach can create. Personally, I’m not a fan!
How to stay organised
If you want to feel like a superhero, our beach day hack is to get a waterproof outdoor storage box (or even better, several boxes) and clearly label them to separate your food, tech and toiletries. That way, your sandwiches won’t end up flavoured with SPF50, and your camera won't be sacrificed to the sea.
Essential for sensitive or high-value items, Solent Plastics’ MAX waterproof portable protective cases are the stuff beach legends are made of. Tough, watertight, dustproof and generally built like a tank (but much lighter, thank goodness), these cases are perfect for keeping your precious bits and bobs sand-free and safe. They come in sizes big enough for your camera and robust enough for your iPhone.
If you’re taking the kids and expecting chaos, then stackable, transparent, colour-coded containers can become your new best friends, as they can grab their snacks without unleashing a sandstorm into your electronics gear.
Child-friendly transport solutions
When you’re transporting buckets, spades, snacks, and inflatables, you need our 80-litre heavy duty XL attached lid container, which offers reliable, sturdy storage for every occasion. It’s like taking a suitcase, toy box and mobile fortress all rolled into one. As an added bonus, it weighs just 4kg when empty, so you won’t risk putting your back out as you carry it down the beach!
It’s so sturdy that divers use it as a cost-effective “gear gulper” to haul wet gear around, so it can certainly handle your damp towels and inflatable unicorn. It ensures the contents remain secure and protected, with its generous capacity making it big enough for plenty of outdoor toys to keep the kids occupied all day.
Impact of beach environment on possessions
Endless sand, water, wind and salt all take their toll on your belongings. Sand can scratch surfaces, damage zippers, and wreak havoc on tech, sneaking into places you’d never imagine. The beach environment is savage, with saltwater, and even salty mist in the air, accelerating the corrosion of electronic devices and metals, even when they don’t seem to come into direct contact. Prolonged exposure can lead to rust, reduced functionality and permanent damage.
Our MAX waterproof portable protective cases can help guard against all these threats, thanks to their IP67 waterproof rating. They will keep the contents dry even if the case is submerged in water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of one metre. This could come in handy if you don’t notice the tide is coming in and have to wade to the shore waist deep in seawater from your impromptu island.
Keeping beach food fresh and sand-free
No beach day is complete without plenty of refreshments, but sun and sand can ruin even the best picnic. Edibles that spoil in the heat, or get contaminated with sand, can leave you with limp, gritty sandwiches and insects swimming in the jelly and cream. Absolutely no-one enjoys watery strawberries and lukewarm sausage rolls, so keep your culinary creations fresh with Solent Plastics’ heavy-duty polypropylene Gastronorm food storage containers. Their robust design means they can withstand a wide temperature range, from freezer cold to boiling hot, making them ideal for a sunny beach day. They’re also dishwasher and microwave safe, which simplifies cleanup after your return home.
Cleaning up and caring for the environment
A successful beach day doesn’t end when the sun sets. Cleaning up properly is part of the experience - and it’s also part of our collective responsibility to protect natural spaces. Be kind to the beach, as we all love relaxing on golden sands, so don’t be that person who leaves a big mess behind. Take your rubbish home, avoid plastic litter, and don’t let your used juice bottle end up in a dolphin’s living room. We’re proud that many of our products are made with recycled materials, and we work with eco-friendly partners like DPD to reduce emissions and extend the life of our boxes.Leaving no trace behind helps preserve the beauty of the beach and ensures it remains enjoyable for everyone in the future.
Solent Plastics takes environmental responsibility very seriously. Many of our products, including mobile storage tanks and heavy-duty containers, are made from recycled materials. Our ECO Value range, for example, uses durable recycled black plastic that offers the same quality as standard products. We also resell used plastic boxes, extending their lifespan and reducing waste.
With a little care, a beach day can be stress-free, safe and sustainable for participants, the environment and wildlife.