Why To Choose Recycled Swim For Your Kids

April 18, 2023 | 0 min read

While we are still a couple months away from summer’s arrival, spring break is on the horizon, so it’s a good time to prepare for upcoming summer camps. And for a lot of kids, summer means swimming. What’s the most important garment for kids in the summer? What’s the most important garment for kids in the summer? Clearly, it’s SWIMWEAR.

As shoppers and parents today, many of us are trying to find more eco-friendly options for our kids. It can be an adventure out there trying to weed through all of the marketing messages, to find better options for your kids and the planet. Searching for swim options can be especially tricky, considering that the majority of swimsuits (and all clothing today) are made using synthetic fabric.

According to Statista, in 2021, synthetic fibers accounted for approximately 64 percent of global textile fiber production. And for swimwear, we can understand why – from stretchability to durability, synthetics still generally make sense for swimwear today.

But synthetics are definitely not the best option for the planet. Not only are they derived from fossil fuels, they use a lot of energy to create and are not biodegradable, meaning they contribute to additional waste.

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Fortunately, there are many recycled options on the market today, that are re-imagining waste to create new materials, while reducing the demand for additional petroleum.
When we search for kids swimwear, we always opt for recycled swim options first.

TO NOTE: while recycled options are better, they are still made using
synthetics. Since these fabrics shed microfibers when washed, we always
recommend using a reusable microfiber catching bag like the Cora Ball or GuppyFriend in the washing machine, to help keep those microplastics out of our waterways.

Nothing is perfect, but here’s what to look for in eco-friendly swim for kids–

  • Made From Recycled Materials The fabric is made using recycled materials. This means that the fabric is made from repurposed fossil fuels, instead of requiring the extraction of new resources to make it. Examples include recycled nylon and recycled polyester.

  • Fabric That’s Made To Last Chlorine from swimming pools can be intense on any kind of fabric, and can break down the fibers. Search for Creora elastane, which is a chlorine-resistant spandex, that can help your swimwear last longer.
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  • UPF 50+ Sun Protection Sun protection is top of mind for most parents. Search for UPF 50+ (the highest rating) – this means that the fabric helps protect your kids’ skin from sunburn and sun damage. Look for fabrics, where the UPF 50+ exists naturally in the tight weave and thickness of the fabric (not from special treatments or chemicals being added for sun protection).

  • OEKO-TEX Certified Fabric Search for fabrics that are certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®. This means the fabric has been tested for harmful chemicals & verified for high product safety. This also means the fabric is free from PFAs (chemicals that can be harmful to your health).
Shop Recycled Swim

From rashguards to girl’s suits, City Threads Recycled Nylon swim collection checks all the above boxes. Find styles in every color of the rainbow that offer great UPF protection, so your kids can focus on having fun in the sun.  

* Please note that our Recycled Polyester styles that are printed are the only recycled styles that are not OEKO-TEX certified.

Written by: City Threads Cofounders Shayna Samuels & Joe Willis, and Kestrel Jenkins, responsibility consultant & host of the Conscious Chatter podcast.

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