Before you start dreaming of surf, sand, and lashings of sunshine, consider swapping out your traditional one-piece or bikini with one from the best UK sustainable swimwear brands.
Swimwear might be one of the more minimal items in your wardrobe, but unlike your minimalist wardrobe, it’s not particularly sustainable.
While sourcing legitimate alternatives can be time-consuming, we’ve done the work for you by curating these brands that not only prioritize responsible materials and fabrics, but also low-impact dyes and sustainable packaging.
In the months ahead, we’re set to launch our Brand Rating System, which will assess a range of eco-attributes, including climate impact and chemical use. For a deeper understanding of how the system works, visit our explainer.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Eco-Friendly UK Swimwear Brands For A Do-Good Getaway
With ColieCo’s range of sustainable swimwear made from recycled plastic, UK shoppers can know they’re wearing something circular and certified non-toxic.
If you’ve got tired and unloved swimwear hiding at the back of your wardrobe, send it back to Stay Wild Swim’s Circularity Project to be recycled and repurposed. Then use them to shop for a replacement!
Index: Sustainable Swimwear Brands UK
- Colieco Jump to brand
- Stay Wild Jump to brand
- Seasoon Jump to brand
- Made Of Water Jump to brand
- Away That Day Jump to brand
- Ayla Jump to brand
- Rubymoon Jump to brand
Colieco
About ColieCo
Price Range: €24–€51
ColieCo is currently based in Portugal, but started in the UK more than a decade ago.
Products are shipped internationally for free which is why it deserves its place in our list of the best sustainable swimwear, UK and beyond.
While best known as a sustainable lingerie brand, their UK sustainable swimwear collection makes quite the sustainable splash, too.
If you’re looking for a UK made bikini, ColieCo is calling you. You can mix and match tops and bottoms from four swim sets, which come in five colours.
ColieCo’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
ColieCo’s swimwear collection is made from reclaimed luxury Lycra fabric, sourced entirely from deadstock through their supply partner, Carvico.
Supply chain & labour practices:
Each UK recycled swimsuit is made to order in-house using hand-drafted patterns.
Everyone involved in the construction and finishing of your chosen product is paid a full and fair living wage and is treated fairly. Working conditions are discrimination-free, comfortable, and safe.
Fabrics are sourced mostly from European suppliers that must comply with EU or UK directives on labour practices and the environment.
Any suppliers outside Europe must demonstrate relevant certifications and proof of regular third-party audits.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Wherever possible, ColieCo works with local suppliers and manufacturers.
Making to order ensures no unsold, end-of-line, or unusable stock and results in wastage of less than 10%, compared to the industry standard 35%.
A purpose-built studio uses LED lighting, is powered by 80% renewable energy, and is naturally air-conditioned.
The textiles and fabric printing/dyeing processes do not require intensive water use. When recycled and natural fibre is used, closed-loop processes ensure water usage is minimal.
Inclusivity:
Their eco-friendly swimwear UK sizes range from XS (32B, 30C) to 2XL (40C, 38D, 36DD) for bikini tops. For bottoms, the range is XS (6-8) to 2XL (16-18).
If you can’t find your size, you can email for a custom order.
Stay Wild
About Stay Wild Swim
Price Range: £50–£180
Stay Wild Swim is a certified B Corp committed to helping consumers fight the problem of plastic waste in the ocean.
This simple yet stylish UK sustainable swimwear brand helps you look good while saving the planet.
For something sporty, secure, and sexy, check out the Odyssey Bikini Top, which is equally (swim) suited for catching some waves as it is for catching some rays.
Stay Wild Swim’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Stay Wild Swim’s swimwear collection is made using a 100% ECONYL® yarn. This recycled nylon (which is also infinitely recyclable) comes from carpet flooring, discarded fishing nets, industrial plastic waste, and recycled fabric scraps.
The thread is made from rPET derived from recycled plastic bottles.
Supply chain & labour practices:
Their made-in-the-UK ethical swimwear pieces are designed and produced in a small local London factory that exceeds standards regarding wages and working conditions.
Only ethical suppliers are used and the company is SMETA certified.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
From zero waste production to the Stay Wild Circulatory Project that recycles any brand of swimsuit, they’re one of the swimwear brands UK customers can trust to responsibly handle textile waste.
Only biodegradable and eco-friendly packaging is used, including recycled hang tags and compostable tree pulp hygiene liners.
Orders are mailed via carbon-neutral shipping and manufacturing equipment is powered by energy-saving motors.
Stay Wild Swim is one of the first UK stockists of the GuppyFriend bag, so customers can wash the brand’s swimwear and other synthetic fabrics without risking microplastic pollution.
Inclusivity:
You’ll find recycled plastic swimwear UK size 6–24.
Seasoon
About Seasoon
Price Range: £79
Seasoon creates contemporary pieces using Italian recycled fabrics.
Their UK ethical swimwear includes bikini tops, bottoms, and one-piece sustainable swimsuits.
Seasoon’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
High-quality sustainable fabrics by Carvica, an Italian producer of recycled Polyamide, are combines with 22% elastane.
These unique swimsuits are fully recyclable.
Supply chain & labour practices:
Production takes place in Europe, ensuring minimum standards are met concerning labour practices.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Seasoon swimsuits and bikinis are hand-made.
Inclusivity:
The range of sizes includes S–L.
Made Of Water
About Made of Water
Price Range: £55–£160
Made of Water is a wild clothing brand for wild swimmers located in Newquay, Cornwall.
Wild or tame ladies alike can enjoy their colourful range of one and two pieces in all kinds of solids and patterns.
As well as an in-house Made of Water range of clothing (which does NOT include swimwear), three swimwear brands can also be found on the website: Winki Suits, OHOY Swim, and SEPTEMBER the Line.
Bring some flower power to the beach with the Winki Bowie Fleur one piece.
Made of Water’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
For those seeking recycled swimwear, the UK brands featured on the site use recyclable materials such as Repreve® polyester, ECONYL®️, and other recycled fabrics with OEKO-TEX certification.
You will also find some non-recycled neoprene.
Supply chain & labour practices:
The brands featured on the site follow recognised standards for sustainable supply chain processes and fair working conditions.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Packing for the products you buy is supplied by Noissue and is either compostable, reusable, or recycled.
For every packaging order, Noissue plants trees in areas where they are needed as part of the Eco-Packaging Alliance.
Inclusivity:
Sizes range from UK 8 to UK 14.
Away That Day
About Away That Day
Price Range: £49–£169
Away That Day swimsuits are made in the heart of London using materials that honour the world they’ll help you explore
With their affordable swimwear customers can shop one-piece swimsuits and max-and-match bikini tops and bottoms without breaking the bank.
Away That Day’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Away That Day has chosen ECONYL® recycled nylon as the material of choice.
Occasional products, like their Sicily Sarong, are made of FSC-certified viscose fabric, which we recommend avoiding.
Supply chain & labour practices:
Originally, items were manufactured in Bali, but it moved to London to ensure the ethical and quality standards. Workers are paid above the minimum wage.
All suppliers must provide certification to prove that they meet the highest environmental standards.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
With manufacturing in the brand’s home of London, Away That Day keeps carbon emissions to a minimum.
Thanks to their ‘Recycle your swimwear’ initiative, you can send in your worn-out swimwear for recycling. Provide proof you’ve sent something in to get a 15% discount on your next Away That Day purchase.
Your swimsuit will arrive in a biodegradable and compostable bag made using corn starch.
Inclusivity:
Bikini tops and bottoms range from XS (30C) to XXL (42B) and one-pieces from UK 6 to UK 14.
Ayla
About Ayla
Price Range: £70–£135
Ayla specialises in “swim and resort wear is designed to take you from sun-lounger to sundowner”.
Their sustainable UK swimwear selection is cute and curated, blending modern elements with classic silhouettes—as seen in the high-waisted Retro Tie Bottom—to ensure you’ll be sporting this swimwear for years to come.
Ayla’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Offering mostly recycled swimsuits, this UK brand uses either REPREVE® recycled nylon or ECONYL®, both blended with ~20% spandex.
Any swimsuit accessories (like sarongs) are made of cupro fabric.
Supply chain & labour practices:
Ayla partners with two small boutique factories based in Bali with whom they have a close relationship.
We’ll be touching base for more information on specific labour practices and protections.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
By working with small factories, they can be flexible with production demand to ensure overstock isn’t made and wasted.
Inclusivity:
Across Ayla’s swimwear, UK shoppers have the choice of S–XL sizes.
Rubymoon
About RubyMoon
Price Range: £62–£95
RubyMoon has an affordable ethical swimwear UK range that combines activewear and swimwear into one.
This not-for-profit brand ploughs any profit it makes into its circular business model, micro-financing female entrepreneurs around the world to help them reach their potential.
The swimwear selection is small, but essential, aligned with slow fashion principles.
RubyMoon’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
RubyMoon was one of the innovators bringing ECONYL swimwear to the UK. This material is made from recycled fishing nets collected from the ocean.
The materials are OEKO-TEX-certified, PETA-Approved Vegan, and fully recyclable.
RubyMoon is also working with two UK universities to create a new “superfibre” textile, though we don’t know much else about it yet.
Supply chain & labour practices:
Manufacturing takes place in Spain and the UK, while the distribution side of the business is taken care of by bagsofsupport.co.uk.
The manufacturing process is ethical and the working conditions are safe. Since no part of the process takes place outside the EU or UK, entities are held to European labour laws and the company can closely monitor the supply chain.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Products in the Gym To Swim® range are sent via regular (not express) mail, in 100% recycled and biodegradable mailing bags.
The digital platform and manufacturing side of the business are powered by renewable energy.
As a registered CIC (Community Interest Company), RubyMoon integrates all 17 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the structure of the business and its operating methods.
Plans are in place for the 2023 RubyMoon range to have a 10-year product guarantee. Until this is finalised, you can return your old swimwear to be recycled for free.
Inclusivity:
This UK ECONYL swimwear comes in XS–XL sizes.
For sports bras (wearable as bikini tops), sizes range from 32 B/C to 38 DD.
