Why is sustainable swimwear not so simple?
The sun has started creeping out behind the clouds (in Australia) and you've just booked your summer holiday... and now it’s time to find that all-important swimsuit...
From a sustainability perspective though, swimwear can have a hugely detrimental impact on the environment. Why? Firstly, it’s made from (usually virgin) synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon, which are derived from fossil fuels. Secondly, poor-quality swimwear doesn’t last long, quickly losing its shape – meaning you cycle through a lot of pieces quite quickly. Lastly, it’s currently extremely difficult to recycle swimwear, meaning it often ends up polluting landfills, while releasing harmful microplastics into the environment.
Here are a few solutions to the above:
1. Repurpose old swimsuits into scrunchies or hair-ties (we did this with our excess Deep Sea fabric)
2. Go for quality and not quantity. Yes, this will usually mean you need to pay a little bit more but by investing in well-made products by reputable brands (like us 😉) it really does make a difference!
3. Stay away from fast fashion and try to align your spending with brands that are trying to do better (again, like us 😉)
3. Hand-washing your swimwear can reduce the amount of microplastics shed, as can using microplastics filters such as a Guppyfriend bag or Cora ball (although even then, please be mindfull that the microplastics have to be disposed of somewhere).
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