Why sustainable bikinis are essential this summer
More and more holidaymakers are purchasing sustainable beachwear to reduce their carbon footprints as they make the most of post-lockdown life. Shopping sustainably is particularly important when you’re buying swimwear including bikinis.
The problem with certain materials
One of the reasons why we need to shop so carefully when buying bikinis is that traditional swimsuits are made from synthetic materials like Polyeurethane, which is a blend of Elastane, Spandex and Lycra. The processes used to create this material are contributing to the scarcity of natural resources.
Oil and the swimwear industry
Swimwear products including bikinis are often made from oil-based synthetic materials. It’s well-known that oil is one of our quickest depleting natural resources. When oil is extracted, pollution occurs. Another reason why it’s best to avoid these materials is that they often don’t biodegrade after they are disposed of.
The impact of washing
Washing and wearing a bikini manufactured with synthetic materials can also be harmful for the environment. When synthetic garments are washed, they release microfibres, which contribute to the pollution of our waterways. These fibres are also released into the water when we go swimming. It’s thought that 22 trillion tonnes of synthetic microfibres will have made their way into the oceans by 2050.
Is it easy to shop sustainably?
There are some simple steps that you can take if you’re ready to purchase your summer swimwear but want to shop sustainably. Swimwear manufactured from recycled materials is becoming increasingly popular amongst the eco-conscious. The more popular it becomes, the more accessible it will be, with more and more clothing brands getting on board.
Positive changes in swimwear manufacturing
Some sustainable swimwear is manufactured from recycled polyester. The plastic from bottles and other items can be processed and melted to make new fibres. This means less water and energy needs to be produced to manufacture garments like bikinis. Econyl is a relatively new fibre that was first unveiled around a decade ago. This fibre is manufactured from nothing but waste products. These products range from nylon to waste to industrial plastic and even old fishing nets.
The benefits of recycled materials
By manufacturing sustainable swimwear, companies can use materials that are already available. This means fewer precious natural resources need to be used up during manufacturing. Using sustainable materials to make swimwear means cutting down on water waste, carbon dioxide waste and energy waste.
Dealing with microfibres
Microfibres can still end up in our waterways even if your swimwear is produced from recycled materials. This is why many green-minded shoppers are investing in washbags that capture microfibres whilst their clothes are being washed.
The future of sustainable swimwear
The more we buy sustainable swimwear instead of traditional alternatives, the less plastic we’re sending into our waterways. Sustainable fashion is now firmly in the mainstream, and it’s hoped more and more people will shop this way over the coming years.
Sourcing sustainable swimwear from Love Maja
At Love Maja, we’re passionate about helping you source sustainable swimwear. We specialise in producing comfortable, stylish, eco-friendly swimwear that leaves you feeling great and looking fantastic no matter where you’re heading this summer. We offer bespoke services so you can personalise your designs, and we always aim to produce minimal scraps when we cut our pieces. What’s more is that we’re about to launch a tab “scraps” service for one-off items, which will see scraps being used to make headbands, scrunchies and more. We never use plastic in our processes, and all of our packaging is manufactured from recycled paper or cardboard.
Get in touch today
To find out more about sustainable swimwear shopping and how we can help, take a look around our site today, or complete the contact us form.