Swimsuit shopping is difficult, not to mention trying to find sustainable swimwear, which is why many people buy from fast fashion brands.
Aside from oil and gas, fast fashion is one of the highest polluting industries in the world. When fast fashion swimsuits are produced, cheap and dirty fabrics are usually used, which pollutes the environment, threatening our oceans.
With Christmas shortly approaching, I am sharing my favourite eco-conscious swimwear brands for the whole family! Whether you are on a tight budget or you can splash out this year on some epic swimwear, these ethical brands will make you beach ready!
BATOKO
Image Source: BATOKO
BATOKO is a small independent swimwear brand based in England. They create swimsuits in fun patterns that are flattering and made of good quality recycled plastic waste, intercepted before reaching landfills.
They are a microbusiness, and they intend to stay that way. BATOKO believes keeping their supply chain small means their products are always top quality.
Another reason you should buy from BATOKO is their green energy and waste reduction strategy. Their workplace is powered by renewable energy (wind & solar), plus it is vegan - no animal products are used for the production of the swimsuits.
BATOKO loves supporting charities and organisations in their conservation, restoration and regeneration goals. For example, if you purchase their Lobster swimsuit, you will be contributing to the “Buy One Set One Free” collaboration they have with the National Lobster Hatchery in Cornwall, UK.
Other charities they have collaborated with are the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Marine Conservation Society UK, LOVEmyBEACH, Surfers Against Sewage, Action For Dolphins, and The Ocean Project.
Website: https://www.batoko.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/batoko/
BIKINI BEAN
Image Source: Bikini Bean
BIKINI BEAN swimsuits is a small business, handmade by Soiyor in Hawai’i. Every piece is made from 100% sustainable fabrics - they are made from recycled ocean plastic and fishing nets!
The swimsuits are also printed or dyed using eco-friendly dyes and can be customised by messaging them.
Website: https://www.bikinibean.shop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bikini.bean/
BLU WILD
Image Credit: BLU WILD
BLU WILD incorporates recycled fabrics into their beautifully printed swimwear collections.
They use recycled polyester from existing materials (plastic bottles, plastic packaging etc.) which uses 33-53% less energy and 54.6% fewer CO2 emissions than creating polyester from scratch.
BLU only makes the swimwear when you order it to prevent excess waste, which is a big problem with fast fashion.
Not only do they do swimwear for women, they have also launched a mens range with many cool patterns!
Website: https://wearebluwild.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearebluwild/
Woodlike Ocean
Image Credit: Woodlike
Owned by husband and wife Mauricio and Sonja, Woodlike was born in 2016 from their love and respect for the ocean and our planet.
After travelling and experiencing the impact plastic has on the environment, this duo was inspired to design feminine eco-friendly swimwear that has a sporty twist.
They use 100% sustainable luxury Italian fabric. The Italian fabric uses 78% regenerated nylon which mainly comes from ghost fishing nets and other waste such as carpets.
By buying a Woodlike bikini you will be removing around 180-200g of plastic waste from the ocean and contributing to the Healthy Seas initiative that arranges voluntary divers to recover ghost fishing nets.
Website: https://woodlikeocean.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wdlk/
Zealous Clothing
Image Source: Zealous
Zealous is an ethical clothing brand founded by Marie, who always had a passion for creating clothes and surfing, so, she merged the two and Zealous was born.
As an owner of three swimwear pieces (and more of their awesome products), I personally know how well they are made, plus they cater for more "shapely" gals like myself, which can be a real struggle when searching for swimwear!
Zealous manufactures their swimwear in Bali, Indonesia. Marie searched the whole island to find local tailors, fabric manufacturers, and factories to produce her products. This has meant she has got to know many local workers and support local family businesses which is very uncommon in today's textile industry.
To read the stories of the people behind the products, click here!
Website: https://zealous-clothing.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zealous.clothing/
Zoggs: Ecolast+ Range
Image Source: Zoggs
You have probably heard of Zoggs when buying goggles or swimwear in the past. In 2019, they created the Ecolast+ men, women, and junior range.
Their swimwear uses sustainable techno-fabric made from recycled plastic waste such as plastic bottles that are a major issue in ocean pollution.
The Ecolast+ range has optimal stretch, fit and shape retention, and are 100% chlorine proof for ultimate lasting performance. They believe protecting your skin from the sun is also important which is why the Ecolast+ range has maximum sun protection (UPF50+) for the whole family.
So, what are they actually made from? Zoggs have created their Ecolast+ swimwear from 55% REPREVE® Recycled Polyester and 45% Polyester P.B.T.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoggsuk/
Bluebuck
Image Source: Bluebuck
Bluebuck creates swim shorts for men, made from certified Seaqual upcycled marine waste - made from 100% recycled polyester, from plastic bottles recovered from the sea by fishermen in Spain.
Seaqual is an organisation that works with fishermen and small charities to clean up the oceans by removing plastic waste found on the ocean floor. Once collected it is then sorted, cleaned and recycled, before being transformed into yarn. This yarn is what Bluebuck makes their swim shorts from!
Blubuck takes sustainability seriously! Blubuck’s London office proudly supplies 100% of their electricity from renewable sources, plus they pride themselves in selecting factories that only use clean energy.
Once ready, all products are moved by road, which produces around 75% less CO2 than transporting via planes.
Website: https://www.bluebuck.net/en/
Noma Swimwear
Image Source: Noma Swimwear
Noma is an environmentally-conscious sun-protection swimwear for babies and children. They donate 1% of their annual turnover to Healthy Seas. The ghost nets that Healthy Seas retrieves are the raw material for Noma’s swimsuits.
Noma uses fabric which is 78 % ECONYL® regenerated polyamide yarn from ghost fishing nets and other nylon waste. As polyamide and elastane are not biodegradable, Noma is hoping in the near future to recycle their swimsuits into more swimsuit fabric for them to use - go Noma!
Their swimsuits are also all certified UPF 50+, providing maximum sun protection.
Website: https://nomaswimwear.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomaswimwear/
Written by Darby Bonner
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