The Best Eco-friendly Swimsuits Made from Recycled Materials
Swimsuit shopping is hard enough as is….it can be daunting to find a swimsuit you feel confidently fits your body. I know this is something I’ve always struggled with.
Then thinking about the sustainability adds another stressful element to the mix. No need to fear…our recycled swimsuit guide is here! This guide will explore the sustainability of swimsuits, what materials to look for when shopping, and feature a few swimwear brands using recycled materials.
This post does contain some affiliate links which means The Honest Consumer may receive a commission if you decide to purchase, however, at no additional cost to you!
What fabrics are swimsuits usually made from?
Swimsuits are commonly made from polyester and nylon. This is for a number of reasons including cost, durability, comfort, stretch, and the ability of the fiber to hold up in the water.
However, these materials are not the most eco-friendly.
Why aren't polyester and nylon eco-friendly?
Polyester and nylon are both synthetic fibers that are petroleum based. The petroleum industry is known for contributing polluting emissions into the air. Along with the material intensive process of creating these synthetic fibers, it's important to consider the micro plastics.
What are micro plastics?
Micro plastics are found in polyester, nylon, and other synthetic fibers. Since plastic is part of the swimsuit when the fibers start to break down they shed tiny pieces of plastic. So when we wash these garments or wear the swimwear into the ocean they can shed micro plastics which can cause damage to our waterways, marine life, and more.
Are there any eco-friendly swimsuits on the market?
While there isn't a perfect solution purchasing swimsuits made with recycled polyester and recycled nylon is a better option as this reduces the amount of petroleum used in the swimwear industry.
Repreve’s Recycled Fabrics in Swimwear
There are some brands that have created recycled materials specifically for swimwear and activewear such as the recycled polyester fiber called Repreve®. It's made from recycled plastic bottles, polyester clothing and industrial material turned into recycled fabric.
This fiber is more expensive than traditional recycled fabrics which is why it can be hard to find when shopping traditional swimwear brands.
ECONYL’s Recycled Yarn in Swimsuits
ECONYL® recycled yarn is made from recycled nylon recovered from marine debris, fishing nets, and other ocean waste. It's an eco-friendly fiber that doesn't shed micro plastics like recycled polyester fibers do. It can be recycled over and over again without losing quality or performance.
Also, the ECONYL® closed loop system turns recycled nylon back into recycled yarn, so no energy is used and there are zero carbon emissions. This is another great sustainable option to be aware of when shopping for swimsuits.
8 Recycled Swimsuit Brands to Shop
These sustainable swimwear brands are size inclusive and a great place to start when exploring eco-friendly swimsuits made from recycled materials.
Colieco Sustainable Swimwear
ColieCo produces ethically made, sustainable lingerie, underwear and swimwear in an in-house studio in Sagres, Portugal. This ethical brand carefully-selects natural, recycled and reclaimed fabrics; manufactures to order and uses intelligent garment design and cutting processes to minimize textile waste.
Their swimsuits are made from Reclaimed Italian knit lycra upcycled from luxury swimwear industry deaadstock. Their sizes range from XS-XXL and prices ranging from $30-$50.
Girlfriend Collective's Ethically Made Recycled Swimsuits
Girlfriend Collective is SA8000-certified, ensuring fair wages, safe and healthy working conditions, and zero forced or child labor.
Girlfriend Collective's swimsuits are ethically made with 82% ECONYL® regenerated nylon. Their clothes are made from recycled materials and shipped in packaging that is 100% recycled and recyclable.
prAna's Recycled Nylon Swimwear
PrAna focuses on on fair trade, sustainability, and giving back as a men & women’s clothing brand. Their swimsuits specifically focus on using eco-conscious materials such as ECONYL ® Recycled Nylon.
PrAna partners with local and international charities to give back. PrAna’s swimwear currently ranges from XS-XL. However, PrAna does carry clothing in sizes up to 3X, so hopefully their swimwear will expand to include these sizes soon.
ARKAS Recycled Nylon Swimsuits Made in the USA
Arkas swimwear is ethically made in the USA. Their recycled collection features bold swimsuits made with ECONYL® Recycled Nylon. This ethical lingerie & swimwear brand designs around core fabrics that are evergreen, which means that excess materials can be worked into future seasons instead of being discarded.
Araks’ partners use solar power or cogeneration, creating energy from captured emissions, they measure the carbon footprint of each meter of fabric, and conserve, recycle, and clean excess unused water to reuse in production or return it to the environment. Discover sustainable swimwear in sizes XS-XL.
Wolven BIPOC Owned Sustainable Swimwear Brand
Wolven is a BIPOC, female-founded brand whose mission is to promote environmental protection, community, and inclusivity through stand out clothing that not only lets you look good, but feel good while wearing it.
Wolven prides itself on designing stand-out styles that are made from recycled materials. Their fabric is made from BPA-Free recycled bottles that are transformed into soft, sexy sustainable clothes that you can be proud to wear.
Wolven also off-sets their carbon footprint and donates 1% of their annual revenue to environmental and community organizations.Wolven's swimsuits feature bold patterns and range in size from XS-XL.
Kitty & Vibe's Fun Recycled Polyester Swimwear
Kitty and Vibe is a fun inclusive swimwear brand featuring unique patterns. All of their swimsuits are designed in NYC; their styles and prints are designed in-house, making them totally one of a kind!
The fabric is digitally printed in Bogota, Colombia and moves to their manufacturer, a family owned factory, also in Bogota, where Kitty and Vibe is produced ethically in small batches.
Most of their swimwear is made with recycled polyester! Their tops range in sizes A-G and bottoms feature a variety of styles ranging S-3XL and feature additional bottom options depending on booty size and coverage.
Sensi Graves: Eco-friendly Swimsuits Giving Back
Sensi Graves swimwear is made to work and designed to last - season after season. All pieces are made in the United States by accomplished seamstresses earning living wages. Swimwear is sustainably made with fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles and reclaimed fishing nets.
Sensi Graves is a women-owned business with a mission to empower women in sports. This socially responsible brand also gives back 1% of each purchase to non-profits focused on environmental protection.
Bold's Size Inclusive Sustainable Swimwear
BOLD Swim’s sustainable line of size-inclusive swimwear is made from Amni Soul Eco® Thread / CO2 Light Fabric — a biodegradable nylon fabric manufactured in Brazil that is both eco-friendly and soft to the touch.
The fabric requires minimal water in the production process and is made exclusively with non-toxic dyes. Even the excess deadstock fabric waste from the production of BOLD Swim’s suits are upcycled into rugs and mats made by local artisans and sold locally in Brazil.
BOLD swim is a women of color owned and operated company that makes full-body suits from sizes S-XL.
Do recycled swimsuits still shed micro plastics?
Yes, while recycled materials will still shred micro plastics there are a few steps we can take when caring for our swimwear such as purchasing a Cora Ball Microfiber Laundry Ball, Guppyfriend Washing Bag, or Girlfriend Collective’s Microfiber Filter which help filter out micro plastics.
Hopefully this recycled swimsuit guide is a good starting place as you begin to research and learn more about sustainable swimwear.
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