Choosing a greener swimming costume might not seem like a big move, but it really does help. Swimwear can be tough on the planet, mostly because of the synthetic fabrics used and the waste they create once tossed. Even small swaps matter, especially if lots of us start making them.
You don’t have to be perfect, you just need to pick the best option for your own life right now. When we pay attention to how our swimwear is made, we take steps to lower pollution and cut back on waste. Keep reading for simple, real-life tips that make your next swim just a little more friendly to the environment.
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 this releases microplastics into the ocean, both when swimming in the sea or rivers, or when laundered. Unless you plan to swim in the nod (more on that below!)
What Makes a Swim Costume Greener?
A greener swim costume no longer just means picking something stylish or affordable. Now, it’s about caring for the planet. Greener can mean using fewer harsh chemicals, saving water, or picking fibres that don’t hang around in landfills forever. Swimwear has a big footprint, so let’s break down what makes some options lighter for the earth.
Better Materials for a Cleaner Conscience
The fabric in most swimwear is often the biggest problem for the planet. Most brands use plastics, like polyester or nylon, that start out as oil. These fabrics feel smooth and last a while, but they also come from fossil fuels and don’t break down easily when tossed.
Look for these fabric swaps if you want your suit to be softer on the planet:
- Recycled polyester or nylon: Instead of new plastic, these fabrics use old bottles or fishing nets. They’re still plastic, but less new material means less pollution.
- Natural fibres: Cotton or hemp are less common but do break down faster. They aren’t as stretchy or quick-drying as synthetics, and may not last as long in water or sun, but they’re better at end-of-life.
- Regenerated options: Materials like ECONYL® are made from waste but feel and act like regular swim fabric. They are still plastic.
When brands share a suit’s fabric story, you can see right away if they’re trying to use less plastic or cut down on oil use.
Fewer Chemicals, Less Pollution
Most swimwear is made with strong dyes and stretch chemicals to keep them bright and comfy. These chemicals can leak out in water or during production. They also make recycling harder when the swimsuit is finally worn out.
A greener option uses:
- Safe dyes that use less water and create less toxic slush.
- Fewer chemical finishes. Some suits claim to be chlorine-proof or super-stretch, but those extras come at a cost for the environment.
- Certifications like OEKO-TEX® that make sure fabrics are free from harmful substances.
Issues with Standard Swimwear Fibres
Let’s talk about what’s in most swimsuits. Here’s a quick look:
Almost every mass-market swimsuit uses polyester, nylon, or some spandex for stretch. These break into tiny pieces called microplastics every time you swim or wash them, and those pieces don’t go away. They get eaten by fish or end up back in water we use.
Waste and the End of the Line
A swimsuit’s story isn’t finished when you’re done with it. Synthetics last hundreds of years in landfills. If you’re tossing out last year’s faded suit, it likely won’t vanish any time soon.
Key issues at the end of a swimsuit’s life:
- Non-biodegradable: Most old suits don’t break down, filling up landfill space for years.
- Mixed fibres: Blends of nylon and spandex are tough to recycle because the fibres stick together.
- Fast fashion: Cheap swimsuits often end up thrown away quickly, making waste worse.
Tip: Holding onto a suit for a few more summers does more good than you’d think. A greener costume is one that lasts, is cared for, and gets used until it’s truly worn out.
If you’re shopping for new swimwear, looking at fabric types, chemical use, and what happens after its useful life helps you pick a green(er) option. Even one small step counts toward cleaning up our fun in the sun.
Better Swimsuit Fabrics and Their Problems
Every swimsuit starts with fabric, and some new choices are a step in the right direction for the planet. Still, these so-called “better” materials come with their own downsides. Knowing what’s in your swimwear helps you weigh the pluses and minuses before you buy something new.
Recycled Polyester and Nylon
Recycled polyester (often called rPET) and recycled nylon come from waste plastic—like water bottles, old carpets, or abandoned fishing nets. This keeps trash out of landfills and cuts down on oil use for brand-new materials.
What’s good about recycled synthetics?
- They use fewer natural resources since they don’t start with fresh oil.
- They extend the life cycle of waste, like ocean plastics.
- They feel almost the same as regular swim fabrics—stretchy, smooth, and quick-drying.
But there’s a hitch. Any swimwear made from synthetic fibres will shed tiny plastic threads each time it is washed. These microplastics slip through most washing machines and wastewater filters and flow straight into rivers and, eventually, the open sea. Fish and birds eat these plastic pieces, and they show up in our drinking water, too.
So use a microfibre filter when laundering swimsuits. Sustainability experts suggest to just cold-water rinse swimsuits if possible, then leave to air-dry, for less chance of microplastic pollution.
Environmental professor Timo A. Räsänen says that recycled polyester from bottles sheds more microfibers as the fibres are weaker, so degrade quicker. 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.
A bathing suit made out of recycled plastic doesn’t excite me. It’s really not going to solve the plastics problem, until we reduce the plastics we’re making. Chief Policy Officer, Oceana
It’s puzzling when ‘eco-friendly brands’ are like ‘We tool old plastic bottles that were choking the turtles, and melted them, to weave you a bikini. S.Jane Kim
Organic Cotton Swimwear
Organic cotton has gained fans looking for natural-fibre swimwear. Unlike most swim costume fabrics, cotton grows in the dirt and doesn’t start as plastic. Organic farming uses fewer pesticides and less water compared to regular cotton. That means less pollution from the start.
Swim Good is likely the best brand on sale right now. They use a specially engineered cotton that claims to be free from plastic, so won’t shed microplastics in the water. Ethically made in Greece, it’s sold in just 2 sizes to mould to your body: Size 1 (XS to S) and Size 2 (M to XL).
You can even mix and match top and bottom sizes, for the ideal fit. Uses natural dyes, too (slight fraying inside the seam is normal, a natural detail from the raw cotton used). There are just three pieces in the range:
- Saphira: a one-piece swimsuit
- Ophelia: A classic two-piece bikini
- Rhea: A triangular, flattering bikini
We found one company making organic cotton swimwear (using natural dyes) but at $300 a pop, most people won’t be buying it.
- Isole Vulcani offers organic cotton swimwear for women and girls, again with a little elastane.
- Piuma swimwear (for women and girls) is mostly cotton (though it does have a little elastane, so still launder in a microfiber filter. But it’s better than most of the rest, so will leach less microplastics in the sea.
- Pure Earth Collection again offers a mostly cotton (with a little elastane) blend for children (including swimming trunks).
Cotton swimsuits are soft and let your skin breathe. They break down faster in landfills, leaving less behind when you’re finished with them. For people who want eco-friendly beach shorts or simple two-piece suits, cotton can be a great fit.
But the trade-offs are real:
- Cotton absorbs water and gets heavy when wet, so it doesn’t work as well for long pool sessions or active swimming.
- It dries much slower than synthetic fabrics.
- Cotton doesn’t have the stretch or shape-holding power of nylon or polyester, so cotton suits may not feel snug during a workout.
If you’re mostly paddling at the beach, lounging by the pool, or want something for light swimming, organic cotton can do the job. For lap swimmers needing speed and stretch, it’s usually not enough.
Keeping Skin and Hair Happy in Pools
Chlorine (some pools now use eco-alternative methods to keep pools clean) can leave your skin dry and your hair brittle, by stripping natural oils and causing irritation, flakes or split ends.
Try these tips for easy protection:
Rinse First, Swim Second
Jumping straight into the pool isn’t the best move. If you rinse off with fresh water first, your skin and hair soak up less chlorine. Think of your hair and skin like a sponge—when they’re already wet, they can’t pull in as much pool water.
Coat Your Hair with Conditioner or Oil
Before you slide on your cap or dip under, work a little coconut oil through your hair. This creates a barrier that blocks chlorine and makes untangling easier later.
Use a Swim Cap (Yes, Really)
If you wear a swimming cap, silicone swimming caps are less likely to release microplastics in the water. They are also warmer than plastic swim caps, and in bright colours, to keep you noticed in the water, for safety.
Ensure baby/child swim caps are right size for age, and fit snug but not too tight (to prevent choking or suffocation). Hats and outdoor clothing should be removed, in warmer indoor temperatures (including cars). Read more at The Lullaby Trust.
Shower and Wash Off After Your Swim
When you leave the pool, don’t wait to shower. Rinse off as soon as you get out to flush away chlorine and pool chemicals before they sink into your skin or hair. Use lukewarm water and a gentle soap or shower gel —nothing harsh.
Moisturize Right Away
Your skin will thank you. After rinsing, pat yourself dry and use a mild, fragrance-free moisturizer or soothing body oil. For hair, a hydrating conditioner or hair mask brings back softness and shine.
Where to Recycle Unwanted Swimwear
No matter what the brand, just ensure it’s clean then send unwanted swimwear to Tide + Seek. Swimwear is then sent 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).
Conclusion
Every time you pick a slightly greener swimsuit, share your gear, or skip new stuff, you take a real step toward less waste. No one gets it right all the time, but each small swap helps clean up our pools, rivers, and beaches bit by bit.
Next swim season, think about trying just one easy change. Switch to recycled fabric or even rent what you need for a special trip. When more people do a little better, the impact spreads.
Thanks for joining this conversation. Share your own tips, stories, or questions—your choices might spark someone else’s next step toward a cleaner swim.
