As consumers, we think every day about how much water we should drink, what foods we should avoid and how much alcohol we should drink. We agonize over what goes into our bodies, what happens to it in terms of our makeup and skincare. But have we really thought about how the materials and chemicals in our clothes might affect us? Sure, some of us prefer the luxury of silk, and some of us prefer the elasticity of nylon, but not usually from a "harmful" point of view - because surely clothes wouldn't be sold if they contained any toxic chemicals? Well, you hope so.
Some dyes have been linked to cancer because they are thought to release cancer-causing chemicals when worn. Specifically, the "azo" dye, or blue as it's more commonly known, will rub off your jeans and apply it to any light-colored surface near you. It contains formaldehyde, which is harmful to both humans and ecosystems, and the swimwear manufacturing process leads to contamination of waterways with industrial pollution. It's also known as the "smell of new clothes" because this chemical has great preservation properties (which is why it's used in embalming!). . They are banned in Europe but not in the US, and while they are considered low risk, the link to cancer is a worrying idea.
So if possible, look for brands that use natural dyes in the future, as they often actually contain health benefits rather than dangers. Strictly speaking, there is no 100% "sustainable" or environmentally friendly synthetic fiber. All produce microplastics, all pollute our water supplies. Rascal, right? ? Sadly, this is just the truth of the situation. Sustainable swimwear fabrics do not have the level of sustainability we would like. But by using recycled polyester, you're sure to make better choices than native polyester.
Nylon spandex swimsuit fabric is one of the most popular fabrics. This is mainly due to its ultra-soft feel and ability to have a glossy or satin sheen. Many of the solid-colored swimsuits you see in the market are made of nylon. Nylon is harder to print, so solid colors are more popular with smaller brands.
Nylon is most typically recycled using "pre-consumer" materials, which are slightly less environmentally friendly than post-consumer materials. This means that the materials come from waste streams that have not yet been used by consumers. Being upstream means that the material has not yet been used by the consumer, which means that it is closer to "raw" than post-consumer material. The source of this material can sometimes be a bit suspect, making it easier to "greenwash" this recycled product. There is some debate about the environmental impact of the recycling process itself, but there is no doubt that upgrading plastic waste to recycling in the fashion industry is a good thing.
