Recycled nylon is the way to go for an eco-friendly swimsuit.

Yes, recycled nylon (like Econyl or Repreve) is your best bet in 2025. It performs just as well as virgin nylon — stretchy, quick-drying, chlorine-resistant — but it’s made from old fishing nets, fabric scraps, and industrial waste.

Other options exist but come with trade-offs. Recycled polyester is fine but less stretchy, so suits feel stiffer. Organic cotton sounds good but holds water, gets heavy, and fades fast in the sun. Hemp blends exist but are rare and often mixed with synthetics anyway. Bamboo “lyocell” is soft but not durable for regular swimming.

The real issue is spandex — most swimsuits need 10–20% for stretch. Even recycled nylon suits still use virgin spandex because nobody has cracked that recycling problem yet. So you’re not getting 100% eco, but recycled nylon cuts the waste by a lot.

If you want the most impact, look for brands using Econyl and closed-loop manufacturing. Patagonia, Girlfriend Collective, and Outerknown are solid. Avoid any “biodegradable” polyester claims — they decompose in landfill but break down in real use way too fast.

You’re not saving the planet in a swimsuit, but recycled nylon is the closest you’ll get without hating your suit.