Ignore the buzzwords—look for certifications.

That “recycled ocean plastic” label is mostly marketing, but a few brands actually walk the walk.

Most swimsuits sold as “made from ocean plastics” are actually using recycled polyester or nylon from post-consumer waste like plastic bottles or old fishing nets—but that waste was collected from landfills or recycling centers, not scooped out of the ocean. The real deal involves salvaging ghost nets or ocean-bound plastic before it reaches water. Brands like Patagonia (their surf trunks use Econyl from reclaimed nets), Outerknown (uses ECONYL and is fully traceable), and Fair Harbor (recycled bottles) are transparent about their supply chains.

The shortcut: look for a certification like Global Recycled Standard (GRS) or OEKO-TEX, and avoid brands that just say “ocean plastic” without naming the material source. If the company doesn’t tell you exactly what they’re recycling and where it came from, assume it’s greenwashing.

Your butt isn’t saving the ocean by buying a swimsuit. But buying less, keeping it longer, and choosing a