Jackets and shirts made out of recycled plastic have been around for years now, but making swimsuits out of the material has proven to be a bigger challenge. The nature of swimwear means it has to include a certain amount of Lycra, a brand of synthetic fabrics.
But one Lehigh Valley swimwear company set a goal of finding a high-quality recycled fabric. About a year ago it learned about a type of cloth made from materials such as plastic water bottles and fishing nets. This summer, women can jump in the ocean and lounge by the pool in recycled bathing suits manufactured by Eco Swim by Aqua Green.
“They fit great, and they look great, and they are gorgeous,” says Sandra Davidoff, spokeswoman for the company based in Easton.
Eco Swim's new line includes one- and two-piece swimsuits and cover-ups for women. The garments can be purchased from several online retailers along with brick-and-mortar stores like Macy's and The Bon-Ton. Their fabric does incorporate some Lycra, but its base is a recycled material made by a North Carolina company. The process of recycling plastic into fabric is pretty simple, Davidoff says. Essentially, it's ground into granules that are spun into yarn that's woven into fabric.
Eco Swim has plans to expand its collection of recycled swimsuits into lines for children and teens. The company also wants to sell home decor items made from recycled plastics.
Source: Sandra Davidoff, Eco Swim by Aqua Green
Writer: Rebecca VanderMeulen