Sustainability in swimwear extends far beyond the fabric of a bikini or wetsuit. Every accessory—clasps, sliders, cords, cups, underwires, tags, and packaging—carries its own environmental impact. High-quality responsible design examines the entire component lifecycle: sourcing, manufacturing, durability, recyclability, and end-of-life pathways.
As a swimwear manufacturer working extensively with recycled yarns and certified supply chains, we see first-hand how trims influence both performance and sustainability outcomes. This guide outlines the key material innovations, certification systems, and practical procurement considerations that can help brands build credible, high-impact sustainable collections.
1. What Counts as a Sustainable Swimwear Accessory?
Sustainable accessories are components designed with reduced environmental impact and traceable, responsible production. A trim can be considered sustainable when it meets at least three pillars:
1.1 Low-impact or circular materials
Recycled synthetics (e.g., regenerated nylon like ECONYL®, recycled polyester)
Recycled metals or alloys
Organic or bio-based fibres (hemp, organic cotton, bamboo)
Upcycled ocean-recovered plastics
1.2 Responsible processing
Low-impact dyeing and finishing
Restricted chemical management (e.g., OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 compliance)
Where available, use of renewable energy during manufacturing
1.3 Extended durability
Long-lasting accessories reduce replacement frequency and waste. Well-engineered clasps, rust-resistant wires, UV-resistant cords, and high-tensile stitching all contribute to garment longevity—arguably one of the most under-recognised sustainability factors.
2. Technical Material Overview: Recycled, Natural, and Engineered Alternatives
2.1 Recycled and regenerated trims
Regenerated nylon (e.g., ECONYL®)
Regenerated nylon is derived from waste nylon, such as fishing nets, carpet fluff, and industrial scraps. Through a depolymerisation process, waste is transformed into a high-quality, virgin-equivalent polymer.
Key advantages:
Enables closed-loop regeneration
Offers excellent mechanical strength and stretch recovery
Works well in cords, straps, and certain hardware elements
Technical considerations:
Microfibre shedding is influenced by yarn twist, gauge, and fabric density—not solely by whether the material is recycled.
Heat setting and finishing significantly affect durability under chlorine and UV exposure.
Recycled polyester
Recycled polyester is commonly sourced from PET bottles or textile waste and is often used for elastics, sewing threads, or printed tags.
Strengths:
Strong dimensional stability
Compatible with digital and sublimation printing
Limitations:
Certain constructions of recycled polyester can shed more microfibres than conventional polyester if yarn structure is loose.
Shedding can be mitigated through tighter knitting, higher filament counts, and responsible garment-care practices.
2.2 Natural, biodegradable, and bio-based trims
Natural trims such as hemp, organic cotton, merino wool, corozo, or bamboo biodegrade significantly faster than synthetic alternatives and do not create persistent microplastics.
Typical use cases:
Drawcords
Tags and labels
Accessory pouches and packaging inserts
Why this matters:
These materials return to soil without leaving microplastic residues.
They often require fewer pesticides, water, and chemicals compared to conventional cotton.
Limitations:
Natural fibres are not always ideal for long-term salt-water or chlorine exposure.
Moisture-absorbing fibres may change shape or feel when wet.
2.3 Engineered and alternative materials
Bio-leathers (e.g., mushroom leather)
Bio-leathers produced from agricultural by-products and mycelium offer a bio-based alternative to animal leather.
Benefits:
Naturally biodegradable
Lower water and chemical requirements than conventional leather
Potentially suitable for small trims and decorative elements
Neoprene alternatives
Limestone neoprene: reduces reliance on petroleum but still depends on mining.
SBR neoprene: more affordable but less UV and ozone resistant, leading to shorter product lifespans.
Eco-neoprene blends: combine natural rubber and bio-based foams with recycled linings for improved impact compared to conventional neoprene.
3. Sustainability Certifications and What They Really Mean
Certifications help verify environmentally responsible practices, but each scheme focuses on different aspects. Understanding what a label covers—and what it does not—is critical.
Certification | What it covers | What it does not guarantee |
|---|---|---|
OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 | Tests trims for harmful substances and ensures they are safe for human contact. | Does not confirm recycled content or ethical labour conditions. |
GRS (Global Recycled Standard) | Verifies recycled content, chain of custody, and restricted chemicals. | Does not automatically ensure product durability or long lifespan. |
Bluesign® | Focuses on responsible chemical management, processing, and worker health. | Is not a direct guarantee of recycled or organic material inputs. |
Fairtrade | Supports fair prices and safer working conditions for farmers and workers. | Does not certify recycled content or microplastic performance. |
Green Button | Government-backed label including social and environmental criteria across the supply chain. | Does not replace the need for product-specific testing data. |
1% for the Planet | Signifies that brands donate at least 1% of sales to environmental causes. | Does not evaluate material composition or factory practices. |
Practical manufacturer insight:
When sourcing trims, a responsible swimwear manufacturer will typically request:
Transaction certificates (TCs) for GRS-certified materials
Batch colourfastness reports (e.g., for sea water and chlorinated water)
Chemical compliance declarations from the trim supplier
Where available, Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) scores
4. Eco-Friendly Packaging Systems
4.1 Compostable and recycled packaging
Swimwear brands increasingly design packaging to be recycled or composted:
Home-compostable mailers made from vegetable starch blends
FSC-certified recycled cardboard boxes and swing tags
Minimalist, low-ink tissue papers and inserts
Lighter and smaller packaging reduces “dead space” in shipping cartons, which helps lower transport-related emissions.
4.2 Reusable packaging
Reusable zipper pouches designed as wet bags extend the life of packaging and add practical value for the customer.
Common material options include:
Recycled mesh or fabric pouches
Silicone waterproof bags
PVC-free biodegradable plastics
By designing packaging as an accessory, brands can reduce single-use waste and increase customer engagement with sustainability.
5. How to Choose Sustainable Swimwear Accessories (Professional Guidance)
5.1 Material due diligence
When evaluating trims and accessories, material choice should always be considered alongside function and performance:
Request documentation for recycled content and origin.
Check compatibility with salt water, chlorine, UV exposure, and sunscreen contact.
Prefer mono-material designs where possible to enable easier recycling.
5.2 Transparency indicators
Brands demonstrating credible sustainability typically share:
Clear information about their suppliers or manufacturing regions
Environmental impact reporting or progress updates
Explanations of their chosen certifications and why they matter
Limited or vague information, especially combined with broad claims like “eco-friendly” or “green” without specifics, is a common warning sign of greenwashing.
5.3 Buyer-ready checklist
Before approving a new trim, use a simple sustainability checklist:
Material: Is it recycled, organic, bio-based, or a durable engineered option?
Certification: Does it carry relevant labels such as GRS, OEKO-TEX®, or Bluesign®?
Durability: Has it been tested for chlorine, UV, and mechanical stress?
Recyclability: Is the component mono-material or easily separable at end-of-life?
Packaging: Does the supplier offer recyclable or compostable delivery packaging?
6. Case Examples from Industry Practice
6.1 Switching to regenerated-nylon hardware
When brands replace low-grade petroleum-based plastic hardware with regenerated-nylon components, they typically see:
Reduced use of virgin plastics
More consistent mechanical performance due to controlled polymer regeneration
Improved long-term appearance under UV exposure compared to low-quality plastics
6.2 Replacing plastic tags with recycled or seeded paper tags
Switching to recycled or seeded paper tags can:
Eliminate single-use plastic tags
Reduce reliance on fossil fuel-derived materials
Increase compostability or recyclability rates
6.3 Adopting reusable accessory pouches
Designing packaging as a reusable pouch can:
Reduce the overall number of packaging components
Lower shipping emissions by optimising size and weight
Enhance perceived product value and customer satisfaction
These examples illustrate typical qualitative benefits observed in the industry without relying on speculative or unsupported numerical claims.
7. Caring for Sustainable Accessories
How consumers care for their swimwear has a direct impact on both lifespan and microfibre release.
Recommended care practices:
Handwash in cool water with mild soap.
Avoid bleach, fabric softeners, and harsh detergents.
Rinse thoroughly after swimming in chlorinated or salt water.
Air dry in the shade, rather than using a tumble dryer.
These steps help preserve elasticity, reduce friction-related fibre shedding, and extend the usable life of trims and fabrics—one of the most effective ways to lower the environmental impact per wear.
8. FAQ: Sustainable Swimwear Accessories
What makes a swimwear accessory sustainable?
A sustainable swimwear accessory uses recycled, organic, or responsibly engineered materials and is produced with traceable, low-impact processes. Certifications such as OEKO-TEX®, GRS, or Bluesign® can help confirm certain aspects of safety or recycled content.
Are natural trims better than synthetic ones?
Natural trims biodegrade and do not release persistent microplastics, which is an environmental advantage. However, they are not always ideal for high-exposure conditions such as chlorinated pools or intense salt water. A performance-first assessment is important when selecting trims.
How do I identify credible eco-friendly packaging?
Look for clear labels such as “home-compostable”, “FSC-certified”, or “100% recycled”. Lightweight, minimal packaging often indicates a lower carbon footprint than heavy, multi-layered solutions.
Why avoid animal-based materials?
Animal leather and similar materials typically require intensive water, land, and chemical use in the tanning and finishing process. Bio-leathers and engineered alternatives can offer lower environmental impact and more favourable end-of-life options.
How should I care for sustainable swimwear accessories?
Handwash gently, avoid harsh detergents, and air dry. This preserves the performance of elastics and hardware, reduces microfibre shedding, and helps the garment last longer, improving its overall sustainability profile.
By combining considered material choices, credible certifications, transparent supply chains, and responsible care practices, brands and consumers can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of swimwear accessories while maintaining high standards of performance and design.