Best Sustainable Swimwear Factories for Ethical Brands

Nylon, polyester, elastane—hardly the first words that come to mind when you think of sustainability. Yet, these very materials define swimwear, making sustainability in this industry a complex challenge.

Unlike everyday apparel, swimwear demands durability, stretch, and water resistance—qualities that natural fabrics struggle to deliver.

When the wave of eco-conscious consumers hits and seeps into the fashion industry, as of now, swimwear brands are facing mounting pressure to rethink their materials and manufacturing processes.

If you’re in the swimwear business—whether as a fashion brand, sourcing agency, wholesaler, or retailer—knowing the ins and outs of sustainable swimwear factories is the first step towards a sustainable future for both the earth and your brand. 

Read on and follow this guide to navigate sustainable swimwear manufacturing with confidence.

What Makes a Swimwear Factory Truly Sustainable?

Not all swimwear factories claiming to be ‘green’ actually meet sustainability standards. Here’s what to look for when assessing sustainable swimwear manufacturers:

• Eco-Friendly Fabrics: Materials like recycled polyester (rPET), recycled nylon, and organic cotton reduce environmental impact.
• Ethical Production Standards: Compliance with fair labour practices ensures fair wages, safe working conditions, and responsible sourcing.
• Low-Impact Dyes & Processes: Waterless dyeing, plant-based dyes, and minimal chemical processing reduce pollution.
• Customization & Private Label Options: Sustainable swimwear manufacturers should provide flexibility for branding, including custom prints and packaging.
• Flexible MOQs: Many brands struggle with large minimum order quantities (MOQs). Ethical manufacturers should offer reasonable batch sizes to support smaller businesses and emerging designers.

Each of these factors contributes to the overall sustainability of swimwear factories. But how do you identify manufacturers that meet all these criteria?

Eco-Friendly Fabrics: The Backbone of Sustainable Swimwear Manufacturers

Traditional swimwear fabrics, such as virgin polyester and nylon, are petroleum-based and contribute to microplastic pollution. 

With swimwear’s high-performance demands and frequent exposure to the elements, eliminating microplastics entirely remains a challenge. Still, more sustainable alternatives are available:

• ECONYL®: Made from discarded fishing nets and ocean plastic, ECONYL® is a high-performance fabric identical to virgin nylon but significantly reduces waste. 

Learn more about the patented technology of ECONYL: Read

While ECONYL® is a popular trademark, various other suppliers offer recycled nylon alternatives.

• Recycled Polyester (rPET): Created from post-consumer plastic bottles, rPET swimwear cuts down on landfill waste while maintaining durability.
• Organic Cotton & Hemp Blends: While not as common for swimwear, these biodegradable fabrics offer a natural alternative for lining or resort swim styles, which sit nicely with by-the-swimming-pool garments.

The Limitations of Sustainable Swimwear

While recycled plastic and polyester help reduce waste, they don’t completely prevent microplastics from entering waterways, particularly during washing. 

On the other hand, natural fabrics lack the stretch and water resistance that synthetic materials provide, making them less suitable for performance swimwear. 

Brands often have to juggle between sustainability and functionality, choosing to compromise between priorities and needs.

To ensure your supply chain is sustainable, verify that manufacturers source these materials transparently. 

Ask about certifications such as GRS (Global Recycled Standard) or OEKO-TEX®, which confirm adherence to environmental and safety standards.

Ethical Swimwear Factories: The Human Side of Sustainability

Sustainability isn’t just about materials—it’s also about the people behind the products. 

Ethical swimwear factories prioritise fair wages, worker safety, and labour rights. A responsible manufacturer should be certified by:

• Fair Wear Foundation (FWF): Ensures workers receive fair wages and ethical working conditions.
• SA8000: A globally recognised certification for social accountability in factories.
• BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative): One of the most widely recognised certifications for ethical production in the fashion industry.

Find Dacotex’s certifications at the bottom of the link.

Explore more key fair trade manufacturing certifications: Read

Investing in fairness and transparency is never a waste—especially in an era where ethically conscious consumers demand accountability from both brands and their suppliers. 

Low-Impact Dyes & Processing: Reducing the Footprint of Swimwear Factories

The textile industry is a major water polluter, with conventional dyeing methods wasting thousands of litres per garment. 

With designs thriving on vivid colours and bold prints such as swimwears, extra effort and resources for fabric customisation are a given. 

But there are still a few ways that sustainable swimwear manufacturers can go about balancing aesthetics, durability, eco-conscious production.

• Natural Plant-Based Dyes: Extracted from roots, leaves, and bark, these dyes biodegrade naturally without harming ecosystems.
• Dope Dyeing: A method where colour is added to the raw material before it’s turned into fabric, cutting water usage by up to 90%.
• Waterless Dyeing Technology: Methods like CO₂ dyeing and foam dyeing significantly cut water waste.
• Eco-Finishing Processes: Improve color absorption, requiring fewer dye baths and less energy.
• Laser and Digital Printing/ All-Over Print: Reduce water use by up to 95% compared to traditional methods.
• Closed-Loop Dyeing Systems: Recapture and reuse dye baths, minimizing chemical discharge.
• Solar-Powered Dyeing Facilities: Cut operational costs while reducing carbon footprints.

To verify sustainability efforts, ask manufacturers about their dyeing techniques and wastewater treatment processes. Certifications like ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) are great indicators of responsible chemical management.

How Do Vietnam’s Swimwear Factories Compare to Bali’s?

When it comes to sustainable swimwear manufacturing, both Vietnam and Bali have established themselves as prominent hubs, each offering unique advantages for brands seeking bulk swimwear suppliers and sustainable swimwear manufacturers.

• Vietnam: Known for large-scale production, established textile infrastructure, and competitive pricing. Ideal for brands looking for flexible MOQs and access to sustainable materials at scale.
• Bali: A hub for boutique, handcrafted swimwear. More suitable for smaller brands looking for artisanal, low-MOQ options but often comes at a higher production cost.

While Bali is often the go-to for luxury lifestyle brands seeking an aspirational edge for branding, Vietnam strikes the ideal balance between sustainability, affordability, and scalability

Customization & Private Label Swimwear Factories: Building Your Sustainable Brand

Eco-conscious manufacturing doesn’t mean sacrificing style or branding opportunities. Many ethical swimwear factories offer:

• Custom digital and eco-friendly printing options
• Embroidery or laser-cut branding for minimal waste
• Recycled or biodegradable packaging choices
• Zero-waste pattern cutting to reduce fabric scraps

Private-label swimwear production ensures that brands can maintain exclusivity while upholding sustainability values.

Beyond certifications and standards in production, it’s also essential to know whether your brand should be with ODM (Original Design Manufacturing) or OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) to map out the drafts of cost, lead times, and creative control.

Learn more about ODM vs. OEM manufacturing: Read

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Q: What are the biggest challenges in sustainable swimwear manufacturing?
A: Long lead times for sourcing eco-friendly materials, material limitations, scalability of recycled fabrics, and high minimum order quantities often make it difficult for smaller brands to compete and deliver.

Navigating performance with eco-friendliness adds another layer of complexity to the equation.

In today’s landscape of heightened social scrutiny, particularly regarding greenwashing, transparency and accountability outweigh any branding strategy.

Brands that remain open, acknowledge setbacks, and demonstrate provable progress will earn lasting trust from eco-conscious consumers as they refine their sustainable production.

Q: Can I get small-batch sustainable swimwear orders?
A: Yes. Many ethical swimwear factories support emerging brands by offering low MOQs. 

However, for productions with factories/ bulk swimwear suppliers, starting with a minimum of 1,000 pieces is a safer bet. 

If you need lower quantities, small workshops might be a better fit.

Q: How do I verify if a swimwear factory is truly sustainable?
A: Start off by looking for third-party certifications such as GRS, OEKO-TEX®, and Fair Wear Foundation.
Then, go down our list of key factors above to craft a base criteria for your shortlist. 

Q: Are natural fabrics better for swimwear than recycled synthetics?
A: Not necessarily. Natural fabrics lack durability and stretch, making them unfit for performance swimwear like board shorts and surfwear. 

However, they work well for resort-style garments such as cover-ups and kaftans. 

Most sustainable swimwear still relies on recycled synthetics for flexibility and water resistance. After all, the longevity of the garments should also be factored into the math of sustainability for a more comprehensive vision.

Ready to Partner with a Sustainable Swimwear Factory?

If you’re looking for a reliable partner for eco-friendly swimwear production, Dacotex Group offers premium-quality manufacturing with sustainability at its core. 

Whether you need custom designs, flexible MOQs, or expert guidance on ethical sourcing, we’re here to help.

Contact us today to discuss your swimwear manufacturing needs and get a free quote.

Explore our swimwear samples for inspiration and reference: View