Imagine being able to extract a dangerous material from the ocean and turn it into a beautiful product like boardshorts or beach towels. Well, that’s exactly what’s possible thanks to SEAQUALⓇ recycled polyester yarn, one of the fibres that we use in our swimwear to ensure that it’s fully sustainable. Made from 90% post-consumer plastics and 10% upcycled marine plastic waste, SEAQUALⓇ helps us to make clothing better for the ocean.
In this blog post we’ll be guiding you through all the ways you can spot sustainable swimwear, thanks to materials like SEAQUALⓇ recycled polyester.
Concerned for the sustainability of your new swimwear? Be sure to run through this quick checklist.
1. Is The Brand Environmentally-Friendly?
These days it can be hard to tell if a brand is just greenwashing or is taking sustainability seriously. So before you settle on a swimwear style, it’s worth doing some research. We’d recommend avoiding corporations that don’t have a waste policy in place, and that make a big song and dance about “commitments” without providing any concrete facts. Truly sustainable brands have a dedicated sustainability system in place - where you can read and learn about everything they’re doing for the environment.
An example: TWOTHIRDS has an Eco page which details production processes, materials used, our approach to climate neutrality, and B Corp certification. In addition, we release annual eco reports that shine a clear light on the legwork and achievements of the previous year. We strive to be as transparent as the ocean, the habitat we’re here to protect.
2. Does The Swimwear Contain Recycled Materials?
In an ideal world, sustainable swimwear would be made from recycled cotton or other natural materials, instead of synthetics (which shed microfibres when washed). However, it simply wouldn’t be fit for purpose, as these fibres absorb water. That’s why you should look for the next best thing, which are recycled or upcycled synthetics. As mentioned before, the SEAQUAL INITIATIVE is one of the innovators in this area. A “unique collaborative community fighting plastic pollution” they unite fishermen, organisations and local beach-clean ups to ensure that the litter that spoils the ocean is extracted, and recycled. They are committed to recycling every kind of material sourced through these valiant efforts to stem ocean pollution, but do something particularly special with marine plastic. SEAQUALⓇ say - “although plastics can survive in the ocean for hundreds of years, UV rays, salt water and friction mean they can degrade quickly. SEAQUAL INITIATIVE is dedicated to giving a new life to all types of marine plastic.” The organisation produces SEAQUALⓇ MARINE PLASTIC, a percentage of which is funnelled into their recycled polyester yarn, while the rest goes into other sustainable products.
The result is what you’ll see in many TWOTHIRDS sustainable swimwear styles for men.
3. Will This Swimwear Last?
Who wants shoddy swimwear anyway? One aspect of sustainability is longevity, meaning items that endure over time rather than quickly falling apart. You should demand the same high-quality from your swimwear as from all the products you buy.
It’s also important to choose a design that you’ll want to wear year after year. Swimwear doesn’t really go out of fashion, so if you’ve comfortable in this style, you won’t need to replace it for years to come. It’s called being eco-conscious for a reason: you have to be more conscious of the choices you make!
4. Are The Production Practises Ethical?
Ethical men’s swimwear is a bit of a buzzword these days. But it’s not without cause: the ethics of a clothing company are worth thinking about, before you buy from them, given how many major corporations outsource their labour in countries that are not as well-regulated as the EU. Fortunately, TWOTHIRDS produces all their clothing in European countries, in family-owned factories that we frequently visit. This guarantees your sustainable swimwear is made in an ethical manner.
Also, what could be more ethical than cleaning up the ocean, and turning it into new garments? That’s the beauty of SEAQUALⓇ yarn, which is also made within the EU.
5. How Can You Help?
As pointed out by the Guardian, sustainability is also in your hands! They say that it’s important to thoroughly rinse off chlorine or saltwater after every wear, to help extend the lifespan of your swimwear.
It is also favourable to wash your sustainable swimwear in a cold setting as heat can damage synthetic fibres. Unless you want the colours to fade, you should avoid putting your ethical men’s swimwear in direct sunlight! Dryers are a total no-go.
For more tips on caring for individual fibres and fabrics, check the dedicated section of our FAQs.