Polyester is the dominant fiber in the textile industry, accounting for approximately 57% to 59% of total global fiber production as of 2023-2024. It makes up over half of all fibers used in apparel and textiles, driven by its affordability and versatility. Nearly 90% of this production is fossil-based. 

Polyester fabric is lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, and moisture-wicking, making it ideal for activewear, home textiles, and custom (print-on-demand) apparel.

It’s also incredibly damaging to the enivironment. Producing nearly 60% of all textiles globally from carbon-dense fossil fuels poses some very serious problems:

Polyester types include PET, PCDT, microfiber, recycled polyester (rPET), and emerging plant-based polyester fibers.

Recycled polyester helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels, but it still contributes to microplastic pollution during washing.

With the above in mind, we’ve searched for swimwear for women and men that uses the highest percentage of recycled polyester. We looked for durability, quality and particularly, density of the fabric.

We also made sure that the recycled polyester was, indeed, recycled in accordance with best practices.

These are the best matches we found. Each is uniquely manfactured for you and features our bold, modern designs that will make you shine while while showing off your commitment to the environment.

Recycled polyester (rPET), which is made from post-consumer plastic bottles and textile waste, is one of the promising solutions for the swimwear industry. Its use drastically reduces the environmental impact of conventional polyester, which is typically derived from petroleum. It is highly durable and resistant to chlorine, saltwater, and UV rays.