Sus to Sustainable: 12 Recycled Fabric Bikini Brands
Swimming in ocean plastic sucks.
Swimming in ocean plastic sucks. Swimming in swimwear made from recycled ocean plastic does not. Fast fashion and traditionally-made swimwear are damaging the planet, and today, fashion is the third highest polluting industry in the world.
Fast fashion creates millions of tons of plastic and other waste that pollute our oceans. These recycled fabric bikini brands leading the revolution use sustainable fabrics.
The fashion industry produces about 10% of our annual carbon footprint – more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.
However, greenhouse gas emissions are not the only problem in fashion: it also uses massive amounts of water – 79 trillion gallons of water a year – massive. Water that is increasingly needed around the world due to drought and climate change. Fast fashion also creates millions of tons of plastic and other waste that pollute our air and oceans.
While sustainable swimwear won’t solve the problem, it’s a step in the right direction, and we can do our part.
Our part of the solution is simple
Breakup with toxic fast fashion.
Buy fewer but higher quality pieces of clothing that will last and you’ll keep loving beyond one season.
Choose sustainable brands that disclose their environmental impact transparently and act to reduce it.
Loop Swim
Based In: Shanghai
Price Range: $48-$168
Ethos: Loop Swim uses REPREVE fibers made from plastic bottles.
“Founders Heather and Itee saw the opportunity to make swimwear entirely from recycled plastic. They began developing their signature UPF50+ sun protective swimwear fabric with Unifi, maker of Repreve rPET yarn.
We not only use recycled fibers to make our two fabrics (knit and woven), but use heat transfer printing, and no disposable packaging.”
Ocean Zen
Based In: Australia
Price Range: $29-$79
Ethos: “Oceanzen uses fabric that supports the removal of marine debris from our oceans.
We manufacture sustainable swimwear made of nylon waste such as recycled plastic bottles and fishing nets that have been recovered from our oceans and recycled. By regenerating waste, we’re not only making it new again but we’re saving a whole heap of precious, finite resources and energy whilst also reducing carbon emissions.”
Jessica Rey
Based In: Los Angeles, CA
Price Range: $52-$124
Ethos: “To reduce our environmental impact our swimsuits are made from 100% recycled pre and post consumer waste. This means each swimsuit helps turn discarded fishnets into new and beautiful things.
Each of our garments is ethically made in sweatshop-free factories in Los Angeles. All makers are paid fair and living wages, and treated with dignity and respect.”
Summersalt
Based In: USA
Price Range: $45-$125
Ethos: “Our swimwear is made of a compressive, luxurious fabric crafted from 78% Recycled Polyamide. These fabrics are crafted from post-consumer materials and nylon waste—like old fishing nets—that are literally pulled from our oceans.
All of our manufacturing partners have multiple certifications, and collectively our factories have over a dozen international certifications, which acknowledge their ongoing commitment to environmental and social sustainability.”
Wolven
Based In: USA
Price Range: $52-$168
Ethos: “An estimated 14 billion pounds of garbage is dumped into the ocean annually, 80 percent of which is a form of plastic that is killing marine life and damaging delicate ecosystems. Since plastics are indestructible, we’re giving that plastic bottle a second life while substantially reducing carbon emissions.
OEKO-Tex Certified Recycled P.E.T. Is An innovative, versatile, vegan fabric created by breaking down discarded plastics and recycling them into textiles and apparel. Breathable, incredibly soft, and durable.”
Carve Designs
Based In: USA
Price Range: $52-$98
Ethos: “As a company that was born at the beach and is endlessly inspired by nature, we believe that the outdoors is not just ours to enjoy, it’s ours to care for. We are committed to sustainable production. Today, 95% of our line is made from recycled, upcycled, and organic materials.
Made from recycled plastic bottles, our swim fabric reduces our reliance on petroleum and cuts back on air and water pollution. Each swimsuit keeps five plastic bottles out of the ocean.”
BERLOOK
Based In: USA
Price Range: $28-$58
Ethos: “BERLOOK. Biobased. Ecofriendly. Recycled. Look.
BERLOOK is dedicated to bringing innovation to design, so women wearing our swimwear feel free and beautiful while helping clean up the environment.
The recycled nylon and recycled polyester in our collection is certificated GRS. Recycled materials reduce our demand on limited natural resources, using less energy and fewer chemicals.”
Batoko
Based In: UK
Price Range: £60.00
Ethos: “Batoko is a small independent swimwear brand based on the North West coast of England. We create quality swimsuits that are fun, flattering and super comfy. They’re also rubbish. Literally.
Our swimwear is made from recycled plastic waste intercepted before heading for landfill. When there is an overabundance of one material – a material that will not safely biodegrade – it makes sense to stop making more of it and use what we already have.”
Hakea
Based In: Australia
Price Range: $96-$140
Ethos: “We use Econyl for our swimwear; a high quality Italian recycled nylon, made entirely from regenerated ghost fishing nets, discarded ocean plastics and fabric mill scraps.
This performance fabric is resilient against chlorine, UPF 50+ and resists breakage up to five times longer than standard fabrics. Produced using water and energy efficient methods, our fabric is also 100% free from harmful chemicals and kind on your skin.”
Tucca Swim
Based In: UK
Price Range: $68-$163
Ethos: “We are proud partners with Aquafil, producer of the ECONYL® yarn, a 100% regenerated nylon fibre made from nylon waste otherwise polluting the Earth, like fish hets, carpet flooring and industrial plastic rescued from all over the world.
All swimwear is made close to home in London and we are proud to support our economy. The team of manufacturers are small and has an ethical approach focussing on working with brands that have quality products which will last.”
The Someday Co.
Based In: Australia
Price Range: $43-$92
Ethos: “One of the biggest plastic offenders in the ocean is abandoned fishing gear, such as huge trawling nets and fishing lines – which can trap or strangle animals. If animals ingest plastic, it can choke them, or fill their stomachs and lead to starvation.
Swimwear is made from fabric made with ECONYL® regenerated nylon. We’re proud to be helping to propel this positive wave of change. Every purchase you make, in any category, is a vote with your wallet for the type of future you want for the planet and our oceans.“
Davy J
Based In: UK
Price Range: $71-$152
Ethos: “Davy J was founded by Helen Lofts, circular economy advocate, economist and winner of Women of the Future Awards for Entrepreneurship.
Our debut range – ‘The Waste Collection’ uses a 100% regenerated nylon yarn made from waste (ECONYL yarn). Davy J’s fabric mill only uses renewable energy, produces its own electricity internally (enough to light up 12 Eiffel Towers a year), recycles 83% of its water and 99% of waste from production.”
