Recycled swimwear is making waves with brands such as Speedo and start-ups producing swimwear made from recycled materials. Sustainable and ethical fashion is making huge strides. The fashion industry is always under criticism for the way it produces clothing quickly and cheaply and swimwear too is not spared. However, as the ethical and sustainable fashion movements gain steam, several startups are producing swimwear in sweatshop free ways and using what they claim to be more ecologically sound materials.
Speedo launched its PowerFLEX Eco swimwear collection recently, which is completely made with ECONYL Nylon 6—a fabric made from ‘end-of-life waste material’, such as old carpets and abandoned fishing nets. It’s remaining manufacturing scraps are upcycled by the nylon manufacturer Aquafil into ECONYL nylon, diverting it from the landfill.
Big brands such as Adidas, and the luxury lingerie label La Perla are some brands that use ECONYL fabric apart from Speedo. Outerknown, a clothing and swimwear line that debuted recently also uses this fabric. However, this makeover in swimwear is more populated by small, indie-sized brands, such as Bikini Empire, a line of surfer-designed separates for women made in Canada. Then, there’s Tara Grinna, which is made by hand at a family owned factory in Conway, SC. Similar swimwear lines exist that are made in the US, Canada, and Indonesia, and numerous other lines manufactured in the UK.
