9 Sustainable Swimwear Brands Waving Goodbye To Waste
Summer means surf, salt, sunshine, and finding the best sustainable swimwear brands.
Between wedgie-giving one pieces and non-biodegradable bikinis, traditional swimwear doesn’t fit right—for us or the planet.
That’s why we’re diving into the growing pool of brands offering recycled swimwear that takes plastic out of our water, instead of washing it back in.
Everything we recommend to you on Sustainable Jungle is independently researched and we ask all brands to confirm their claims. To avoid waste, we test products on an as needed basis. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about why we do this here.
The Best Recycled Swimwear Brands Making A Splash
We can’t overstate the need to stop relying on virgin plastics, and Understatement agrees, hence their line of recycled bathing suits made for women, by women.
Noserider Surf Club’s swim and surf suits made of recycled nylon may help you catch a big wave, but it’s all thanks to a small supply chain located entirely in Bali.
BERLOOK’s petite and plus-size swimming suit catalog will turn heads and keep beach-goers of all shapes and sizes comfortable and confident with timelessly elegant cuts.
Paddle to the end of the article to learn how we landed on these sustainable swim brands.
The Full List Of Ethical Swimwear Brands
- BERLOOK | Visit Store
- Noserider Surf Club | Visit Store
- Understatement | Visit Store
- Vitamin A | Visit Store
- Patagonia | Visit Store
- Kitty and Vibe | Visit Store
- Outerknown | Visit Store
- SummerSalt | Visit Store
- peony | Visit Store
1. BERLOOK
About BERLOOK
Price Range: $28–$85
BERLOOK provides resort-worthy swimsuits made entirely from recycled materials.
The eco-friendly swimwear brand has several figure-enhancing fits in petite and plus-sizes, ranging from bikinis, one-pieces, tankinis, cheeky bottoms, and more.
Nothing puts us more in the mood for a quick plunge like a stylishly sexy plunge neckline.
That’s why we tested the ECONYL® Red Cutout One Piece Swimwear and loved the supportive yet stretchy fit of its mostly regenerated yarn makeup.
If you’re more of a two-piece person, the Navy Cut Out Bikini Top and matching bottoms features a super soft and comfortable microfiber lining that mimics terry cloth so it feels like you’re always wrapped up in your beach towel.
BERLOOK’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
BERLOOK’s swimwear is mainly made of recycled materials.
The Ecolook collection blends 85% ECONYL® regenerated nylon with 15% elastane while most other styles utilize 95% recycled polyester and 5% spandex
Both lines feature linings made of mostly recycled polyamide, with a touch of spandex.
Supply chain & labor practices:
BERLOOK partners with garment factories across different regions, including China, Vietnam, and India.
All of their recycled fabric factories are BSCI-certified and they’re working with all partners to obtain similar manufacturing certifications, like SA8000 and WRAP, by 2025.
Caron commitments & green practices:
BERLOOK has repurposed over 415,000 plastic bottles and ~300 pounds of ocean-collected nylon into their recycled plastic swimsuit line.
Each item is packaged in a reusable linen bag made from fabric scraps. They have incorporated 100% compostable bags made from plant-based materials.
As a Stripe Climate member, BERLOOK contributes 1% of its revenue to carbon removal projects.
Inclusivity:
BERLOOK’s sustainable women’s swimwear is available in XS–XL, with an additional plus size collection in sizes 16–24.
2. Noserider Surf Club
About Noserider Surf Club
Price Range: $20–$160
Emma Bukowski started Noserider Surf Club when she realized her dream of becoming a surfer.
The ethical swimwear brand maintains a small local supply chain for surf suits, bikinis, rash guards, one-pieces, and oversim gear.
We’ve tested the Lowback Cropped Rash Guard and commend its playful design, performance fit, and unrestricted movement.
But we especially love it for its versatility to be paired with any swimwear bottoms anytime you need a little warmth or sun protection—in addition to natural sunscreen, of course—on your upper half.
If you’re worried about burning your back still (out of sight, out of mind!), the regular Cropped Rash Guard eliminates that plunging back for full shoulder and arm coverage. It’s their standout product, and as water-sport lovers, we can absolutely see why.
Both rashguard tops are designed to have a snug fit, particuarly around the band so they won’t ever come off when surfing or doing other more rambunctious water sports, so we recommend sizing up, as we were also recommended to do. We would normally buy a small and the medium fit us perfectly in these.
Noserider Surf Club’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Noserider uses the eco-friendly swimwear fabric Vita, a luxury fabric crafted from 78% ECONYL® and 22% elastane.
It comprises the entire suit, lining included.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Noserider keeps production close to home, meaning everything is handmade in Bali, Indonesia.
Their manufacturing partner is female-owned and just a few minutes up the road from their flagship store.
Caron commitments & green practices:
Noserider packages each suit in a biodegradable canvas storage bag, which only needs to travel down the road to its storage facility.
The swimsuit tags are made from recycled card paper, with recycled kraft paper hygiene liners.
Inclusivity:
A female-founded brand, Noserider carries eco-friendly bathing suits in women’s sizes XXS–XL.
3. Understatement
About Understatement
Price Range: $51–$116
Understatement holds a simple motto, “For women, by women.”
They have a bold collection of bras, bralettes, tops, cheeky briefs, and recycled plastic swimwear.
We strapped up the Plunge Bikini Top and the High Cut Bikini Briefs to see if they were worth their salt.
The ECONYL® fabric used for these styles is unique compared to other brands on this list because of its super soft and stretchy rib knit, which is not only flattering, but oh-so-comfortable.
Understatement’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Understatement uses ECONYL® recycled polyamide with minimal elastane for its entire swimwear collection.
The linings still feature virgin polyamide, but we hope to see this turn recycled, too.
Supply chain & labor practices:
The Swedish brand procures close to home, primarily with European and Turkish manufacturing partners whom they visit often to supervise ethical conditions and environmental standards.
Caron commitments & green practices:
Understatement doesn’t use any plastic packaging. Their paper, boxes, and tags are made from FSC-certified recyclable and compostable materials.
Inclusivity:
Sustainable bathing suits come in women’s sizes XS–3XL.
Woman-founded and run, 70% of Understatement’s employees identify as women.
Community & charitable giving:
As women supporting women, Understatement works with organizations like Kvinna till Kvinna, the Swedish Breast Cancer Foundation, and Plan International.
They introduced the MAKE A STATEMENT program to support female entrepreneurs with funding, resources, coaching sessions, and other services.
4.Vitamin A
About Vitamin A
Price Range: $99–$215
Vitamin A helps you get some Vitamin D sustainably.
Grab your beach bag and fill it with some of the best sustainable swimsuits for women in various bikini styles and one piece.
We especially love the Alia One Piece in black for its timeless design that’s elegant, form-fitting, and stylishly suitable (get it?) for any beach or resort vacation.
Vitamin A’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Vitamin A uses EcoLux™ fabric from recycled nylon fibers and blended with Xtra Life Lycra® to give it a long-lasting fit.
Some suits are blended with TENCEL™ or natural fibers like linen, recycled cotton, and organic cotton.
All materials have OEKO-TEX certification.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Their manufacturing partners in California and other global fair trade artisan partners adhere to the highest standards of environmental responsibility and workplace ethics.
Vitamin A regularly visits these locations.
Caron commitments & green practices:
Vitamin A partners with Green Story to calculate the waste, emissions, and energy saved through their vertically integrated facilities in California.
They ship in recycled plastic mailers.
Inclusivity:
Their eco-friendly swimwear range accommodates sizes 4 (XS) to 14 (DD or XXL) and uses inclusive modeling.
Community & charitable giving:
Vitamin A uses its 1% for the Planet pledge to support healthy seas and organizations that help clean them.
5. Patagonia
About Patagonia
Price Range: $59–$139
Patagonia deals in a huge range of outdoor-ready clothing, whether you’re a landlubber or feel the call to the water.
This includes eco-friendly wetsuits, swim trunks, bikinis, and one-pieces.
We appreciate Patagonia’s fair trade swimsuits like the Reversible Seaglass Bay Bikini made from recycled materials with some spandex.
However, our personal favorite Patagonia piece is their 100% recycled Baggies shorts—and not just because of all the fun prints they’re available in.
These shorts are a summer staple for us because they’re made featuring quick drying swimwear fabric, yet feature a casual cut so you can wear them on land and in water alike.
Patagonia’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Solid-colored swimsuits are made of recycled nylon and spandex.
Wayfarer and Baggies board shorts are made of 100% DWR-coated recycled nylon.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Patagonia tracks and publicly shares every manufacturing step through The Footprint Chronicles.
85% of their garments come from Fair Trade certified factories, though they’re still working to improve the 33% of total supply chain members who make a living wage.
Staff regularly visit mills and factories to ensure they uphold Patagonia’s ILO-based Code of Conduct.
Caron commitments & green practices:
Patagonia has a lot of green going on, including recycling poly shipping bags in stores (eventually aiming for a biodegradable alternative), offering lifetime repairs through their Ironclad Guarantee, and selling pre-loved Worn Wear.
Inclusivity:
XS-XL sizes for women and 28”–40” W sizes for men.
Community & charitable giving:
A founding member of the 1% for the Planet program, Patagonia gives 1% of every sale to environmental non-profits.
They also get politically active when public lands come under legal threat and encourage customers to get involved in local activism via Patagonia Action Works.
6. Kitty and Vibe
About Kitty and Vibe
Price Range: $56–$128
Kitty and Vibe exist to “awaken and fuel self-love for a kinder world.”
They’re doing all that by turning one woman’s trash into another woman’s treasure.
Their recycled plastic swimwear comes in several classic cuts of full coverage, one-piece, and bikini cuts—like the standout High Hip Crossover.
Aside from the adorable floral print, we love how it combines a modern cheeky cut rear with a more timeless high, wide waistband that Vs just below the belly button for a cute, modest coverage.
Kitty and Vibe’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Half of K&V’s swimwear is made from 82% recycled polyester.
Their website makes it easy to find those made from recycled materials.
Supply chain & labor practices:
“Kitties” are ethically made in small batches in a family-owned ISO 14001-certified Colombian factory, where workers receive above minimum wages, healthcare, and retirement plans.
Caron commitments & green practices:
Sustainable packaging means 100% biodegradable bags.
Inclusivity:
Kitty and Vibe have sizes for “every booty,” running from XS to 3XL with an additional choice between “smaller booty” and “larger booty”—no more baggy beach bums!
Besides plus-size sustainable swimwear, K&V features a diverse range of models.
7. Outerknown
About Outerknown
Price Range: $78–$155
Started by surf legend Kelly Slater, Outerknown knows all about sustainable men’s swimwear and trunks.
Sorry ladies, you won’t find any bikinis here, but no one’s saying you can’t channel your own Bethany Hamilton in their men’s trunks—which we prefer to think of as unisex anyway.
The Apex Trunks are worn by Kelly himself, so you know these have the surf and sustainability seals of approval.
Outerknown’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Outerknown’s ethical swimwear features either 100% recycled polyester or a blend of recycled polyester with some recycled and non-recycled spandex.
Supply chain & labor practices:
An FLA member, Outerknown produces its sustainable swimsuits in a USA Fair Trade-certified factory within 70 miles of their San Clemente, CA headquarters.
Materials are sourced from the USA, Italy, France, Canada, Brazil, and China.
Caron commitments & green practices:
Outerknown embraces the sustainability journey via its 2030 Sustainability Strategy—which includes goals like achieving full product circularity by 2030.
They’re well on their way with the launch of their new Outerworn preloved platform.
Inclusivity:
Men’s sizes 28-38; women’s sizes XS-L.
Community & charitable giving:
They regularly donate to healthy seas and ocean conservation efforts like the Ocean Conservancy.
8. Summersalt
About Summersalt
Price Range: $45–$125
Did someone say ethical swimsuits for under $100?!
For affordable, sustainable swimwear, Summersalt’s fun prints and “Honest Pricing Always” will have you channeling their name with cash to spare for a post-swim ice cream cone.
The Marina is the platonic ideal of one-piece bathing suits. It features their signature color-blocking, curve-defining diagonal seaming, adjustable straps, and built-in cups.
Summersault’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Summersalt’s ethical swimwear is made from “beach-proof” recycled materials, including recycled polyamide blended with Lycra to give their garments more compression and shape retention.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Summersalt has long-term manufacturing relationships and regular visits to ensure they prioritize fair trade practices and environmental sustainability.
These Asian factories are WRAP, GOTS, GRS, and/or BSCI-certified.
Caron commitments & green practices:
Recycled materials make up both their sustainable bathing suits and recycled packaging.
Inclusivity:
Summersalt’s 2–22 sizes are made to fit real body types, thanks to their data-backed fit made from over 1.5 million body measurements of 10,000 women.
9. peony
About peony
Price Range: $90–$260
peony is inspired by a lifelong love affair with the ocean, which is what gave the sustainable swimwear brand its purpose.
Now, they’re a global leader in luxury sustainable swimsuits for women, including one-pieces, bikinis, bralettes, bandeaus, and hi-pants.
The boho-inspired Holiday One Piece features cut-out front details, adjustable ties, and a supportive strapless fit.
peony Swimwear’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
peony’s uses recycled, OEKO-TEX approved fabrics, like GRS-certified REPREVE® recycled polyester (for anything textures and linings) and ECONYL® digitally printed with AZO-free dyes (for printed designs).
Supply chain & labor practices:
This family-run Australian brand only works with BSCI and SA8000-approved suppliers in China, ensuring fair trade equivalent conditions.
Caron commitments & green practices:
Peony uses a backyard compostable polybag made from wheat and cornstarch.
Inclusivity:
Sizes run from 6-14 (AU) or 2-10 (US).
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How We Found These Eco-Friendly Swimwear Manufacturers
Looking to take your swimwear knowledge from the kiddy pool to the deep end?
Let’s dive deep into our criteria for the most sustainable swimwear brands.
Materials:
Unfortunately, fabric technology has yet to evolve long enough for us to strap on any organic swimwear, but recycled synthetics are making quite the splash here.
The most common sustainable swimwear fabric is ECONYL®, a regenerative nylon fiber made of reclaimed ocean plastics like abandoned fishing nets, followed by recycled polyester often made from recycled plastic bottles.
Sustainability means durability, so most still use some spandex/elastane. While rarely made of any recycled content at this time, it does increase the swimwear’s longevity.
- Certifications: OEKO-TEX, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Global Recycle Standard (GRS), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
Supply chain & labor practices:
Being ethically made means being made safe work in exchange for fair wages. Third-party certifications help us vet these claims and keep the blue water free from greenwashing.
- Certifications: International Labor Organization (ILO), Fair Labor Association (FLA), Fair Trade, Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), Social Accountability International (SA8000), Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001)
Caron commitments & green practices:
The best sustainable swimwear brands often use recyclable/compostable packaging, carbon-neutral shipping, and repair/recycling options.
Inclusivity:
EVERYONE looks swimmingly swell in a cheeky bottom bathing suit, so we look for brands that provide sizes for all body types.
Community & charitable giving:
We love it when the tide comes in and a brand supports doing good through monetary donations, conservation efforts, or donations of unsold gear.
Final Thoughts On Ethical & Sustainable Swimwear
The time to sink or swim is now.
Collectively, we need to take the plunge toward plastic-free oceans.
If you have a functional swimsuit, keep using it until you can’t—but if those old bottoms are looking a bit baggy, one of these brands should (bathing) suit your watery ways.
Let’s channel our inner Dory and just keep swimming toward a cleaner, healthier planet by supporting eco-friendly swimwear brands swimming against the tide.
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Such an amazing list with some brands I haven’t heard of, one that was missed is my personal favourite, Styelle Swim. The fabric is so soft and thy are ethical and sustainable!
Thanks for this list! Some of these are new to me. I love the looks at Summersalt and NOW_THEN.
-Lara