Sustainability
Our Commitment to the Coast
We started Xanto because we love the Australian coast. That's not a marketing line — it's the actual reason the company exists. Victoria grew up chasing tides on Queensland beaches, and the gear she found herself reaching for either didn't exist or didn't last.
That origin shapes how we think about sustainability. It's not a box to tick. It's the most obvious thing in the world: if you love the coast, you make gear that doesn't harm it.
Here's how that plays out in practice.
Materials
Designed to solve a real problem
The XO Blanket's most distinctive feature is its patented umbrella integration system: a velcro-fastened slit running from the centre pole opening to the blanket's edge. This lets you slide the blanket around an already-planted umbrella or cabana pole at any time — no dismantling, no re-threading. The design is registered with IP Australia and exclusive to Xanto. It exists because we got frustrated watching people wrestle with their setup at the beach and wanted a better solution.
Recycled fabric
The XO Beach Blanket is made from recycled synthetic fabric — the kind of material that starts life as discarded plastic bottles rather than virgin petroleum. The fibres are strong, fast-drying, and tightly woven enough to resist sand without needing chemical treatments.
Using recycled materials isn't a perfect solution to plastic waste, but it's a meaningful step: diverting plastic from landfill and ocean drift into something that will be used, washed, and re-used for years.
Water-resistant backing
The tarp underlayer on the XO Blanket is water-resistant rather than chemically waterproofed. That matters because many waterproofing treatments involve PFAS — "forever chemicals" that don't break down in the environment and have started appearing in marine ecosystems at measurable concentrations. We designed around them.
Australian-made where we can
Our After Sun Oils and sand pegs are made in Australia. The XO Beach Blanket is designed and developed here but manufactured in China — we're honest about that. In a world where global supply chains drive most manufacturing economics, we chose a manufacturer we've verified for material standards and working conditions rather than pretend the alternative is simple.
We'd like to make more in Australia. We're working on it.
Longevity over replacement
The most sustainable product is the one you don't have to replace.
A lot of beach gear is designed to last a season or two before it falls apart, fades, or stops working properly. We design the XO Blanket to be used hard for years. The stitching, the fabric weight, the waterproof backing — all of it is specified for long-term use rather than minimum viable construction.
If yours develops a fault, contact us. We'd rather repair or replace it than have it end up in landfill.
Packaging
The XO Blanket ships in its own carry bag — which is part of the product — rather than a separate box or excessive plastic packaging. Where we use additional packaging, we avoid single-use plastic where possible.
We're still working on reducing the packaging footprint further. It's an ongoing process rather than a solved problem.
On the coast itself
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters where we live and work, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
We don't claim to be a perfect company on sustainability. We're a small Australian business making decisions with the information and resources we have. What we commit to is being honest about those decisions — including where we fall short — and continuing to improve.
What you can do
Buy less, buy better. One well-made beach blanket that lasts ten years has a smaller footprint than three cheap ones that don't. The same principle applies to everything in your beach bag.
Bring your rubbish home. Every piece of rubbish left on an Australian beach has a reasonable chance of ending up in the ocean. A small drawstring bag in your tote costs nothing and solves this completely.
Use reef-safe sunscreen. Oxybenzone and octinoxate — common chemical UV filters — have been linked to coral bleaching at measurable concentrations. Mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are the safer choice for anyone swimming near reefs or rock shelves.
Support coastal conservation. Organisations like Surfrider Foundation Australia, Take 3 for the Sea, and local Landcare groups do meaningful work on beach and ocean health. They're worth knowing about.
Xanto is 100% Australian-owned. ABN 77690409799. Shipping from Byron Bay, NSW. Questions about our materials, manufacturing, or practices: shop@xanto.com.au