Although we all know that organic cotton, hemp and linen are the best fabrics for conventional fashion, swimwear is a little tricky. You can’t wear an organic cotton t-shirt in the pool, because it would balloon up and you could drown. But likewise most swimwear is made from nylon (plastic). So what are best choices – unless you plan to swim in the nod!
The rage these days is to wear swimwear made from materials made from recycled plastic bottles. This sounds good in theory, but for swimwear it’s not really a sustainable choice, because microplastics can leach from your costume in the sea, pool or washing machine, and go out to sea. If you do wear one, then experts say to cold-rinse if you can (rather than launder it). But if you do, use a microplastic catcher, and leave to air-dry.
Although it’s good to use up waste like recycled fishing nets, this is best for non-laundered things like cosmetics pots or coffee cup holders etc.
Environmental professor Timo A. Räsänen says that recycled polyester from bottles sheds more microfibers (ideally bottles should just be recycled to make more bottles). Putting them into garments removes them from ‘closed loop recycling system’s and leads to more plastics leaching into oceans.
We found one company making organic swimwear but at $300 a pop, most people won’t be buying it.
Where to Recycle Unwanted Swimwear
No matter what the brand, just ensure it’s clean then send unwanted swimwear to Tide + Seek, which is then send to a recycling company and made into insulation, carpet underlay and sports equipment filler.
Where to Rent a (slightly greener) Wetsuit
If you go wild swimming or surf the ocean waves, you can rent (or buy) slightly greener wetsuits from Finisterre, which are made from Yulex® natural rubber (a better alternative to neoprene that cuts carbon emissions by 80%). it still has some recycled synthetic material, but it’s the best to choose right now. Just rinse after use (don’t machine-wash or dry clean). Just order, then after you’ve used it, stick the prepaid returns label on the bag it came in, and send it back. Obviously ‘serious surfers’ may find it more economical to buy.
Nudist Beaches: You Wouldn’t – Would You?!
Of course the one way to get around not wearing plastic swimwear, is not to wear anything at all! Nudist beaches have quite a history in England. Of course if you own a pool yourself, it’s not an issue. But if you are visiting public beaches, what’s the history of swimming in the buff, what are the laws (public decency at all that). And where can you find them?
So-called ‘naturism’ (where people think it’s natural to walk around with no clothes) is a movement that’s been around since the 1920s, although England’s first nudist beaches (near each other in Brighton and Hastings) only opened in the late 1970s, and met with widespread disapproval.
Nudist beaches are usually purposely situated on shingle beaches, to stop ‘sand getting in any nooks and crannies!, so just look up your area, to find the nearest one. Having said that, it’s advisable to wear rubber flops, as the beaches are not that comfortable to walk on .
Usually such beaches have raised banks of pebbles, to separate them from others (including young children, who undoubtedly would start asking awkward questions). Bathers still have to remain clothed before and after entering the beach – if not, it’s a public decency offence.
And obviously protect all regions from the sun. See the post on sustainable sun protection (always wash off natural sunscreens before letting pets lick you, as most contain pet-toxic zinc or titanium oxide).
