Swimwear (made from recycled materials)

Swimwear made from recycled materials, tends to be made from either recycled plastic bottles or recycled fishing waste. Either way, the materials create an eco-friendly ‘nylon’. It’s not biodegradable, but it does use up the waste that is littering our oceans, causing harm to marine wildlife.

If swimwear is made from recycled bottles or materials, it’s not biodegradable. So machine-wash with a GuppyFriend (to stop micro-beads going into our oceans). Ideally use organic materials when swimming, to stop synthetic fibres going into the oceans.

1. Seasoon is a contemporary brand of swimwear from London, made ethically in Europe using Italian fabrics. These unique swimsuits are handmade by skilled seamstresses, using an innovative material made from recycled plastic.
2. Mangata makes mens’ swim shorts from recycled plastic bottles. Made in small production runs in Romania, the super-soft fabric dries quickly, and the shorts have elasticated waistbands for good fit. Sold in several sizes, just rinse them to save energy, or machine-wash on a cool cycle (do not tumble dry). All sent in compostable bags with cotton off-cut swing tags.
3. Frugi Swim Bags are in fun colourful designs to match their swimwear. Made from recycled plastic, so use a Guppyfriend to wash. They have taped seams and colourful characters, plus handy labels inside to write names on. Not for children under 3.
4. Frugi Grown-up Board Shorts are fun for men, made from recycled plastic in a fun blue design of Japanese waves. Comfy with an elasticated waistband and organic cotton adjustable drawcord in sunflower yellow. Rinse with fresh water after use.
5. Frugi Swimwear is made from recycled polyester and in fun designs, with sun protection. They feature chunky straps for a comfy fit and super soft-mesh lining, with flat seams to reduce irritation.

What is Ghost Fishing Waste?

Did you know that there are almost 700,000 tons of fishing nets in our oceans? Called ‘ghost fishing waste’, it floats around after being discarded and remain adrift for 500 years, as it never biodegrades. Meanwhile it can harm fish and sea turtles that get tangled up in them, or bigger creatures (like whales) who accidentally eat them, when they open their huge mouths to take in krill or plankton. Econyl fabric is a wonderful way of generating a market to encourage it to be recovered and reused. It is now used extensively in swimwear made from recycled fishing nets, along with yoga wear, carpet tiles and even ‘plastic’ sunglasses. Wearing swimwear made from recycled materials helps to prevent the need to buy new items from nylon, which is made from oil.

For more information on what we can do to help, visit Ghost Fishing UK. This charity was set up after a team of 6 divers recovering 65 lost creels and posts, 1000kg of fishing net and over a kilometre of ropes on one dive (most recycled into something else). Neptune’s Army is another wonderful organisation that sends teams of volunteer divers down to recover fishing and other waste from waters nationwide (they have indeed once found a kitchen sink). The divers are then rewarded with a ‘free dive for leisure’ after each trip.