How to Find Sustainable Swimwear: Dive into Ethical Beachwear

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How to Find Sustainable Swimwear: A Practical Guide to Ethical Beachwear

The search for the perfect swimsuit often begins with style, fit, and color. But for a growing number of consumers, the journey now extends far beyond the changing room mirror. Choosing sustainable swimwear is a conscious decision to support a cleaner planet, fairer labor practices, and a more responsible fashion industry. This guide is your roadmap to navigating the world of ethical beachwear, providing clear, actionable steps and concrete examples to help you make an informed and impactful choice. We’ll cut through the greenwashing and get straight to what matters, so you can dive into your next adventure knowing your swimwear is part of the solution, not the problem.

1. Decoding Sustainable Materials: What to Look For

The fabric of your swimsuit is the single most important factor in its environmental footprint. Traditional swimwear is almost exclusively made from virgin synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, and spandex, all of which are derived from fossil fuels and are non-biodegradable. Sustainable alternatives address this issue by using recycled or innovative new materials.

Recycled Synthetics: The Backbone of Sustainable Swimwear

Most high-quality sustainable swimwear today is made from regenerated synthetics. This process takes post-consumer or industrial waste and turns it into new, high-performance fabric.

  • ECONYL® Regenerated Nylon: Look for this specific trademark. ECONYL® is a premium nylon made from a mix of discarded fishing nets, fabric scraps, carpet flooring, and industrial plastic. The process cleans up our oceans and landfills while creating a durable, high-quality fabric that is just as good as virgin nylon. It can also be recycled and regenerated an infinite number of times. When you see “ECONYL®” on a product tag, you know the brand is using a top-tier, certified material with a closed-loop system.
    • Example: A brand website might state, “Our best-selling bikini is crafted from ECONYL® yarn, a regenerated nylon made from salvaged fishing nets, helping to clean up marine environments.”
  • REPREVE® Recycled Polyester: This material is made from recycled plastic bottles. The bottles are collected, cleaned, and crushed into flakes, which are then melted down and turned into a polyester yarn. While it’s a great way to divert plastic from landfills, it’s not as easily recyclable back into new REPREVE® as ECONYL® is. It’s still a significant step up from virgin polyester.
    • Example: A product description could read, “This one-piece features a vibrant print on REPREVE® fabric, sourced from recycled plastic bottles. Each swimsuit saves approximately five bottles from ending up in a landfill.”
  • Recycled Polyamide: This is a more generic term for recycled nylon. While a brand using this is a positive step, it lacks the specific, verifiable backstory of ECONYL®. It’s still better than virgin nylon, but it’s worth checking if the brand provides more information on the sourcing and recycling process.
    • Example: A brand may simply list “80% recycled polyamide” in its material breakdown. This is a good sign, but a brand using ECONYL® provides more specific and transparent information.

Natural Fibers and Emerging Innovations

The challenge with natural fibers like cotton or hemp is their lack of stretch and quick-drying properties, which are essential for swimwear. However, some brands are innovating.

  • Plant-Based Synthetics: Some brands are exploring materials like Yulex, a plant-based alternative to neoprene. This is a game-changer for wetsuits and high-performance swim gear, as it’s made from natural rubber instead of petroleum-based synthetics.
    • Example: A surf brand’s wetsuit might be advertised as “made with Yulex natural rubber, a sustainably harvested plant-based material that provides the same performance as traditional neoprene with a lower environmental impact.”
  • Biodegradable Synthetics: A handful of brands are now using innovative synthetics that are designed to biodegrade at the end of their life cycle. These are still rare but represent the cutting edge of material science.
    • Example: A company might feature a swimsuit made from “Amni Soul Eco®, a biodegradable polyamide that breaks down in a landfill environment, unlike traditional synthetics.”

2. Vetting a Brand’s Overall Sustainability: Going Beyond the Fabric

A sustainable swimsuit is more than just a piece of fabric. It’s a product of an entire system. A truly ethical brand considers every step of its supply chain.

Production and Labor Practices

The “ethical” part of ethical beachwear refers to the people who make your clothes. Fair labor standards, safe working conditions, and living wages are non-negotiable.

  • Look for Transparency: A brand’s website should have a dedicated page detailing their factories, labor practices, and social responsibility initiatives. If they are vague or provide no information, it’s a red flag.
    • Example: A transparent brand will have a section on their site that says, “All of our swimwear is ethically produced in a family-run factory in Bali. We conduct regular audits to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions for all our employees.”
  • Check for Certifications: Third-party certifications provide an extra layer of assurance.
    • Fair Trade Certified™: This certification ensures that the workers who made the product received fair wages and are working in safe conditions.

    • SA8000®: A global standard for social accountability in the workplace, it covers child labor, forced labor, health and safety, and working hours.

Dyes and Printing

The process of dyeing fabric is notoriously water-intensive and can be highly polluting.

  • Low-Impact Dyes: Brands committed to sustainability will use dyes that require less water and have a lower chemical impact. Look for phrases like “Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified dyes” or “Bluesign certified.”
    • Example: A brand’s FAQ section might state, “We use Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified dyes, which means our fabrics are free from harmful chemicals and are processed with minimal environmental impact.”
  • Digital Printing: This method uses less water and produces less waste compared to traditional screen printing. It also allows for small-batch production, which reduces overstock.
    • Example: A brand might highlight, “Our unique patterns are applied using a water-saving digital printing process, allowing us to produce small, limited-edition collections.”

Packaging and Shipping

A swimsuit made from recycled plastic but shipped in a plastic bag is a contradiction.

  • Recycled and Compostable Packaging: Look for brands that use recycled cardboard boxes, compostable mailers made from cornstarch, and minimal tags.
    • Example: A brand’s checkout page might show a small icon and text that says, “Your order will be shipped in a 100% compostable mailer.”
  • Local Production: Buying from brands that manufacture close to home reduces the carbon footprint associated with shipping. While not always possible, it’s a factor to consider.
    • Example: A brand based in California might advertise, “Designed and ethically made in Los Angeles, keeping our supply chain local to reduce our carbon footprint.”

3. Avoiding Greenwashing: How to Spot a Deceptive Brand

Greenwashing is the practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a product. It’s a common tactic in fast fashion.

Beware of Vague Language

Statements like “eco-friendly,” “conscious,” or “sustainable” are meaningless without specific evidence.

  • Look for specifics: A brand that claims to be “eco-friendly” but doesn’t mention specific materials, certifications, or labor practices is likely greenwashing. A genuine sustainable brand will proudly and transparently share its methods.
    • Example: A red flag is a brand with a vague “Our Promise” page, saying something like, “We are committed to helping the planet.” A good example is a brand with a detailed “Our Impact” page that specifies, “We use ECONYL® and have been Fair Trade Certified since 2022.”

Check the Percentage Breakdown

Some brands might use a tiny amount of recycled material to market a product as “sustainable.”

  • Scrutinize the fine print: A label that says “made with recycled materials” might only contain 5% recycled plastic. Look for a high percentage, ideally 70% or more.
    • Example: A fast-fashion brand might sell a swimsuit with a tag that says “contains recycled polyester,” but the material breakdown reveals it’s 95% virgin polyester and 5% recycled. A truly sustainable brand will have a breakdown like “78% ECONYL®, 22% Elastane.”

Question the Business Model

Fast fashion brands that produce new collections every few weeks cannot be truly sustainable, even if they have a “conscious” line.

  • Consider the entire company: A major retailer known for its high turnover, low prices, and questionable labor practices is not suddenly sustainable because they’ve released a small collection using recycled fabric. True sustainability is a systemic commitment, not a one-off product line.
    • Example: A large, multi-national brand might launch a “sustainable capsule collection.” While the materials in those specific pieces may be better, their overall business model of mass production and encouraging overconsumption is inherently unsustainable. A better choice is a company whose entire brand is built around slow fashion, quality, and a commitment to all-around ethical practices.

4. Taking Action: How to Shop and Care for Your Sustainable Swimwear

Your role doesn’t end with a mindful purchase. Longevity and care are crucial to making your swimwear truly sustainable.

Buy for Longevity

  • Invest in Quality: Sustainable swimwear often comes with a higher price tag due to the cost of recycled materials and ethical production. View this as an investment. A high-quality suit will last for years, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Look for reinforced stitching and durable fabric.
    • Example: Instead of buying two trendy, low-cost suits from a fast-fashion brand, invest in one well-made, timeless piece from a sustainable brand that you can wear for five seasons or more.
  • Choose Timeless Styles: Avoid fleeting trends. A classic black one-piece or a simple bikini will stay in style for years, further extending the life of your garment.

Proper Care for Your Suit

Even recycled synthetics can shed microplastics, especially when washed incorrectly.

  • Hand Wash Only: The agitation of a washing machine is the primary cause of microplastic shedding. Hand washing in cold water with a gentle, eco-friendly detergent is the best way to clean your swimwear and prevent fiber loss.
    • Example: After a beach day, rinse your suit with cold water to remove sand and salt. Then, gently hand wash it in the sink with a few drops of a mild, biodegradable soap.
  • Use a Microplastic Filter: For the times you must machine wash, use a Guppyfriend washing bag or a Cora Ball. These products catch microfibers before they enter the wastewater stream.

  • Air Dry in the Shade: Heat and direct sunlight can damage the fibers of your swimsuit, leading to a shorter lifespan. Lay your suit flat or hang it to dry in a shady spot.

Conclusion

Finding sustainable swimwear is a deliberate process that empowers you to be a more conscious consumer. By focusing on materials like ECONYL® and REPREVE®, prioritizing transparent and ethical brands, and actively avoiding greenwashing, you can make a choice that is both stylish and responsible. The final step is to care for your swimwear properly, extending its life and maximizing your positive impact. The next time you’re ready for the water, you can feel confident and proud, knowing you’ve made a smart choice for yourself and for the planet.