Feature Photo by Jill Wellington
In the UK, summer weather tends to be variable and can vary greatly from year to year, however this year we have more than our usual share of rainfall, so many of us are heading off to warmer climates. Whilst we’re lounging by the pool or soaking up the sun on the beach, how many of us have turned our thoughts to our swimwear and wondered just how sustainable it is?
THE ISSUE WITH SWIMWEAR
On average, £285m is spent on new swimsuits every summer in the UK alone, yet 45% are never worn, according to research conducted by Tesco. On top of that, swimwear, particularly those made from traditional materials, can have a significant impact on the environment as well as presenting a unique sustainability challenge for several reasons:
Production Process
Swimwear production requires various resource-intensive processes such as raw material extraction, manufacturing, dyeing, and finishing, which contribute to pollution through the release of greenhouse gases, wastewater, and chemical waste.
Plastic Pollution
Most swimwear is made from synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon, and spandex, which are essentially plastic. These materials are perfect for swimwear, given their moisture-wicking properties and form-fitting flexibility. Unfortunately, they are also inexpensive to produce and not biodegradable. This leads to an estimated 65 million tons of plastic-based materials generated every year just because of swimwear, contributing to the existing 8 billion tons of plastic waste on the planet.
Waste Generation
Swimwear has a short lifespan due to fashion trends and wear and tear. Discarded swimwear, particularly if made from synthetic materials, can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills, further contributing to the global waste problem. As you might already know, burning these plastic-based materials releases carbon emissions, and improper waste disposal can lead to plastic ending up in the ocean, where it can harm marine life.
Chemical Use
The dyeing and finishing processes involved in swimwear production often require the use of harmful chemicals, which can be toxic to both human health and the environment when not correctly managed.
Water Consumption
Swimwear production, especially from natural fibres like cotton, can be water-intensive, putting pressure on water resources, particularly in regions facing water scarcity.
Transportation
Swimwear is often made in far-off countries and transported across long distances, resulting in carbon emissions and air pollution from shipping and transportation.
THE ALTERNATIVE MATERIAL
While some brands strive to use biodegradable fabrics, there is currently no material that possesses the necessary performance qualities for swimwear. In fact, brands are turning to recycled plastic as an alternative. From sustainable swimwear brand Mara Hoffman to activewear brand Outdoor Voices, more and more companies are using recycled plastic to create their products.
RECYCLED PLASTIC & NYLON
This material has its limitations though, and one of them is that larger companies are not equipped to handle it. It’s typically smaller startups that use recycled materials for their products instead.
For example, the founders of Summersalt, built their entire supply chain using nylon made from fishing nets and industrial carpets. Reformation, on the other hand, has been using Econyl, a nylon made from recycled plastic, for only three years. However, for Athleta, a large company under Gap, Inc., transitioning to recycled materials is a much more complicated process, mainly due to its vast supply chain spread across the world.
In fact, the brand announced that 85% of its swimwear is made from recycled materials so far, and it is still working to get to 100%.
While recycled plastic is a step in the right direction, it is not a complete solution. Once the customer no longer needs it, the swimsuit is likely to be discarded and end up in a landfill or incinerated. That’s not where the problems end though, because swimwear made out of recycled plastic is also responsible for releasing tons of microplastics into the ocean during the washing process.
Related – SKIN DEEP: THE PROBLEM WITH PLASTICS AND NANO PARTICLES
THE SOLUTION
The fashion industry is taking steps towards sustainability, and swimwear is no exception. If fact, luckily, here are a few other sustainable alternatives that are worth considering when purchasing swimwear:
- Shopping for vintage or second-hand swimwear is a great way to reduce waste and give a new life to pre-loved items. Many vintage pieces are one-of-a-kind and can add a unique touch to your summer wardrobe.
- Choosing swimwear with a minimalist design can also be a sustainable choice. Simple designs require less fabric, which means less waste and a lower environmental impact.
- Some brands are also experimenting with biodegradable fabrics, such as Tencel, hemp, bamboo or Lyocell, which can break down naturally and reduce environmental harm.
- Some companies are adopting circular fashion principles, which focus on reducing waste and maximising the lifespan of garments through recycling and upcycling old swimsuits.
In addition to the steps we, as individuals can take to tackle this sustainability issue, there’s more that brands can do too. Although brands can’t control what happens to a product once it’s in the hands of the consumer, they can share tips to reduce the shed of microplastic. Including gently washing synthetic garments by hand in cold water, which has been shown to release fewer particles than the rigorous cycles of a washing machine, or promoting the use of a Guppyfriend, a bag that captures microfibers when you hand- or machine-wash your synthetic clothes, so that these particles don’t end up in waterways.
BRAND RECOMMENDATIONS
It’s great to know that several swimwear brands and designers are prioritising environmental sustainability while still offering the same level of functionality that you’d expect from a quality swimsuit or board shorts. I’ve put together a short list of some of the most innovative and exciting eco-friendly swimwear brands currently available!
Mara Hoffman
Mara Hoffman design with circularity in mind, choosing mono-materials and materials that can be easily recycled when possible. In 2022 they launched their first swimwear made without Nylon and Polyester, instead using PYRATEX® Power 3 which mimics the functionality, retention and water absorption of fully synthetic swimwear, without the use of polyester or nylon. Made from TENCEL™ Lyocell x Micro fibres, the fabric is created by converting dissolved wood pulp from sustainably managed forests, into versatile fibre using a low-toxicity solvent. During this process, 99.5% of chemicals are reused in a closed-loop system. Colour fastness is tested with both chlorine and saltwater.
ARAKS
Araks have taken on their sustainability journey by firstly assessing themselves and identifying the key areas where they could make the biggest impact on our overall carbon footprint. Based on this assessment, they have honed in on four key areas that will help leave a positive impact on the world:
- They design their collections with evergreen core fabrics, allowing them to repurpose excess materials for future seasons instead of discarding them.
- We save every scrap and swatch, amassing a vast colour library that reflects years of work while reducing unnecessary waste.
- They give back by donating surplus materials to schools and other charitable organisations in need.
The fabrics used by the brand are also in line with their mission, being organic or repurposed materials. You can check out the full list of fabrics used in their swimwear here.
CASA RAKI
Casa Raki’s signature style features bold colours and flattering designs that stand out.
The brand’s swimwear and resort wear products are made from ECONYL®, which uses synthetic waste such as industrial plastic, waste fabric, and fishing nets from oceans, then recycles and regenerates them into a new nylon yarn, and an innovative, renewable yarn produced from castor beans. Ethical production is a top priority for Casa Raki, with all swimwear made at a female-owned and operated factory in Portugal.
VITAMIN A
Vitamin A’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond just using recycled fabrics. They also prioritise ethical and responsible manufacturing practices, ensuring that their workers are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions. By producing their swimwear in California, they also minimise their carbon footprint by reducing the distance their products need to travel.
Vitamin A has been making environmentally friendly choices for nearly 20 years; their founder, Amahlia Stevens, was the first to trademark a sustainable swim fabric made of recycled nylon, for their signature EcoLux designs. Vitamin A also reduce their environmental footprint by employing waterless digital printing technology and incorporating other sustainable materials into their beachwear like linen and organic cotton.
In addition to their commitment to sustainability, Vitamin A’s swimwear is also designed to flatter a variety of body types. With a huge range of styles and colours to choose from, there’s something for everyone. And rest assured that, whatever bikini or swimsuit you choose, it’ll be made from either plant-based or recycled materials, such as EcoLux™ or EcoRib®, BioSculpt®, EcoMetallic®, EcoLinen®, Organic Rib® and Shimmer EcoCotton®.
They also have a limited edition “ Plants not Plastic” graphic range, which features this cool tote to top off any look, made from 100% organic cotton – because plastics don’t belong in our oceans.
My favourite thing about this brand is that they provide you with a list of benefits of each material they use, as well as give you the possibility to shop by fabric. Visit their sustainability page here and have a look for yourself!
Every purchase prioritizes the health of our planet. Through their partnership with 1% For The Planet Vitamin A give back a portion from every sale to organizations that protect our oceans and sea animals and ocean life – so we can all live, work and swim happy and healthy. When you swim with Vitamin A, you’re doing good.
OHOY SWIM
OHOY Swim is a brand that challenges the traditional concept of swimwear seasons. Instead, they create timeless and stylish designs that remain fashionable year after year. This sustainable swimwear brand also prioritises eco-friendliness by using only recycled materials such as fabrics made from plastic bottles, fishing nets and so on. Furthermore, they donate a percentage of each sale to Healthy Seas, a charity dedicated to removing plastic waste from the world’s oceans.
RIZ
Sustainable swimwear brand, Riz, specialises in colourful, patterned board shorts made from recycled plastic bottles.
For every pair sold, the company donates to the Marine Conservation Society. And, once your pair of Riz swim shorts are worn out, you can send them back to be recycled or repaired and get 25% off a new pair! When these old shorts are recycled, they become new board shorts so that the fabric’s lifecycle can be expanded as much as possible. On top of that, the brand is a certified B Corp!
Related – B Corp Brands
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