What happens when swimwear starts to wear out? How do you know when it's time to retire a suit and send it to live on a farm upstate (that's where they go, right?)
These days, it's more important than ever to give careful thought to how you dispose of your swimwear. Clothing waste is a real concern. Gone are the days of putting clothing into landfill locations just to keep up with changing fads. Being eco-friendly clothing is trending, and we don't think that trend is going away.
So let's talk about responsible ways to dispose of your unwanted swimwear.
Before you get rid of your suit, take a moment to figure out if it really needs to go. Is it still wearable? What are your reasons for wanting to retire it? If your only reason for letting it go is aesthetic, and the suit still has plenty of life, there are lots of things you can do besides throwing it away!
Take a look at the suit. Is it stretched or faded? Are there runs or rips? Are any of the stitches coming out? Has it been damaged by chlorine, sun, or salt? Is it moldy? If the answer to all of these is "No" then the suit can most likely be donated.
Does your suit just not fit? Definitely donate it! And take a look at our fit guide to make sure you get the right size next time!
If the answer to any of these questions is "Yes", then it's most likely time to retire the suit.
Recycling Options for Swimwear
Just because a suit has outlived its use, doesn't necessarily mean it has to be thrown away. There are lots of ways to recycle swimwear.
These days, lots of brands are adopting the "circular economy swimwear model." Namely, they are opting to make swimsuits out of recycled materials, and many of those brands accept old suits. J. Crew recently announced a high-profile partnership with SuperCircle, and established "take back" initiatives at all of its locations where old suits can be dropped off to be sent to a recycling centre.
J Crew are not the only company with initiatives like this one. Many will let you bring in suits from other brands and even offer discounts on new merchandise when you recycle your old suit. These suits end up as new suits, or even as yoga mats, furniture batting, or carpet.
Here is a list of a few brands that offer clothing recycler programs:
Are you crafty? How about turning your old swimsuit into hair ties or bracelets? Earrings? Leg warmers? There are tons of ways to recycle bathing suit material, and even if the result isn't something you necessarily want for yourself, it might be something you could sell, donate to a charity shop, or give to friends.
You may be surprised to learn that swimwear can be donated! It's a bit trickier than taking other clothing to charities, but like any unwanted items, there is always someone who can benefit.
There are many charitable organisations that are happy to receive clean, gently used donations of bathing suits, rash vests and rash guards, etc. Some of these places also take bras and other lingerie and donate them to breast cancer survivors and homeless shelters.
Organizations like Bras for a Cause and The Bra Recyclers take any suits that can't be used and turn them into art, which is then sold to raise money to find a cure for breast cancer.
If you can't find a suitable location near you, consider getting in touch with local organizations like swim teams and shelters in your area. Many local programs target underserved communities right in your neighborhood.
Before you donate any swimwear, make absolutely certain it is in good condition to be donated. It must be clean and disinfected, and free from any stretching, fading, or running.
We talked about some ways you can recycle your swimsuit material into fun projects like hair ties and leg warmers. You can also turn old suits into tote bags, cleaning rags, cat toys, and more!
Is your suit not quite on the way out, but just something you don't feel like wearing anymore? Consider upcycling it or modifying it to give it some new life. Adding accessories, restitching it to change the shape, adjusting straps or playing with the cut are all ways to breathe life back into a suit that you may have grown tired of.
Preventing Swimwear Waste in the Future
The best way to prevent swimwear waste is to support brands that make quality swimwear from recycled materials. Avoid fast fashion, as these are some of the worst offenders when it comes to emissions from clothing production, and their merchandise wears out fast.
It can cost a little more up front to invest in quality, durable swimwear that lasts, but it's worth it. To make that investment last, make sure you're taking care of your suits: rinse after every use, wash by hand after every 5 uses, hang dry, and store in a cool, dry place.
With a little thought and consideration, you can rock high-quality swimwear that's good for the earth and good for your wallet. Win win!
Summing It Up
Clothing thrift is in! And swimsuits are part of that now. There's no need to throw out old swimsuits: consider recycling, donating, or upcycling instead. And when it comes to your future clothing, make smart choices that support brands dedicated to the circular economy and eco-friendly clothing.
After all, we want the oceans to be there for us next time we put on our swimsuit!