Why Sustainable Swimwear Matters

In a world increasingly aware of environmental and social issues, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. This awareness is particularly crucial in the fashion industry, where fast fashion has wreaked havoc on our planet and its people. 

Swimwear, sometimes overlooked in discussions about sustainability, is a prime example of how our choices as consumers can either contribute to or combat these issues. At Origami Customs, we believe that sustainable swimwear isn’t just a trend; it’s a fundamental shift towards a more ethical and eco-conscious future. Here’s why sustainable swimwear matters and how we’re committed to it.

The Problem with Fast Fashion Swimwear

Fast fashion has become synonymous with mass production, cheap materials, and rapid turnover. This model, while appealing for its affordability and accessibility, comes at a significant cost to the environment and to the people who make our clothes. 

Fast fashion swimwear is often produced in bulk, using low-cost, non-biodegradable materials like nylon and polyester. Fast fashion brands normally get their own cheap fabrics custom made, and then discard anything they don’t use from that fabric run. They don’t utilize premade fabrics, or fabrics that can be sold to other companies as well, which creates large amounts of waste.

What’s more, the fast fashion model encourages a disposable culture—swimwear is bought cheaply, made from poor-quality fabric, fits badly, is worn a few times, and then discarded. This cycle leads to enormous waste, with millions of swimsuits ending up in landfills each year. 

The environmental impact doesn’t stop there. The production of these garments often involves harmful chemical treatments to make them water-resistant and durable, which can have devastating effects on water sources and marine life. The products also usually ship around the world in ocean liners or planes, with a huge amount of fuel being used each time. 

The Environmental Consequences of Fast Fashion

The environmental degradation caused by fast fashion is staggering. The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters globally, with 1.92 million tonnes of textile waste produced every year. Fast fashion swimwear contributes significantly to this problem. 

The production of synthetic materials like nylon and polyester requires vast amounts of energy and water, not to mention the carbon emissions associated with their manufacture and transportation. Once discarded, these materials take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing microplastics into our oceans in the process. These tiny particles not only harm marine life but also make their way into the food chain, affecting all living beings.

At Origami Customs, we recognize the urgency of addressing these issues. That’s why we’ve committed to using only eco-friendly, recycled, or deadstock materials in all our garments, including our swimwear. Our materials are carefully chosen not just for their sustainability but also for their durability, ensuring that our products last longer and reduce the need for frequent replacements. That, paired with our custom sizing and ethical manufacturing, is how we combat the throwaway culture perpetuated by fast fashion.

Sustainable Swimwear as a Solution

Sustainable swimwear offers a powerful alternative to the fast fashion model. At its core, sustainability in swimwear is about prioritizing quality, longevity, and ethical production practices. By choosing sustainable materials, we can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of our swimwear.  

Sustainability isn’t just about the materials but the entire process. At Origami Customs, every piece of swimwear is handmade to order in our Montreal studio, where we’ve built an inclusive and joyful workplace. Our labor practices are 100% ethical, with all workers being well-paid members of our queer and trans community. This commitment to ethical labor extends to our sourcing practices as well. We meticulously select our materials based on their environmental impact, the ethics of the companies producing them, and their overall sustainability.

This can look like a lot of different options for us, best suited to each situation and design. We source recycled and deadstock fabrics when we can, and when we have to order bulk from a manufacturer, we make sure it’s a fabric that’s still in production so that there is minimal wastage of that fabric run. We support our Montreal economy by buying from local suppliers or using fabric made in Canada when we can find it. 

This approach not only ensures that our swimwear is made in a way that is kind to the planet but also that it’s made to last. Our free custom sizing means that each piece fits perfectly, reducing the likelihood of it being discarded due to poor fit. In a world where fast fashion encourages us to buy more and more, we’re proud to offer swimwear that’s designed to be cherished and worn for years.

The Ethical Imperative: Fair Labor and Transparency

The ethical issues surrounding fast fashion swimwear production are just as alarming as the environmental ones. Many fast fashion brands rely on exploitative labor practices, with workers in developing countries often paid far below a living wage and working in unsafe conditions. Transparency is almost non-existent in these supply chains, making it difficult for consumers to know the true cost of their swimwear.

We believe in complete transparency. We’re committed to providing our customers with products that are ethically made from start to finish. Our studio in Montreal is a safe and inclusive space where our workers are paid a good livable wage, are offered a robust benefits package (including additional gender-affirming benefits- which are pretty much unheard of!), and are provided with flexible hours and accommodations for mental health and neurotype differences. We believe that the people who make our clothes should be treated with dignity and respect, and we’re proud to uphold these values in every aspect of our business.

By choosing sustainable swimwear, you’re not just making an eco-friendly choice—you’re also supporting ethical labor practices and challenging the fast fashion industry’s exploitative model.

Consumer Responsibility: Making Conscious Choices

We all know that saving the planet is not on us individually, (*cough, oil companies, cough*) but also, each consumer choice we make does impact our communities and environment.

As consumers, we have immense power to drive change in the fashion industry. By choosing to support sustainable swimwear brands like Origami Customs, you’re voting with your wallet and sending a message to the industry that sustainability and ethics matter. But making conscious choices isn’t always easy, especially with the rise of greenwashing—where companies falsely market their products as environmentally friendly.

To help you make informed decisions, we recommend looking for brands that prioritize transparency, ethical labor practices, and sustainable materials. Certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and Fair Trade can also be good indicators of a brand’s commitment to sustainability.

We also encourage you to think about the lifecycle of your swimwear. Invest in high-quality pieces that will last, care for them properly, and when the time comes, dispose of them responsibly. At Origami Customs, we’re here to help you make choices that are good for you and good for the planet.

The Future of Swimwear in a Post-Fast Fashion World

The future of swimwear is sustainable. As more consumers demand eco-friendly and ethically made products, the industry will be forced to change. We’re already seeing innovations in materials and production methods that are making sustainable swimwear more accessible and affordable.

If you know us, you know that we’re so excited to be part of this movement! We believe that sustainable swimwear isn’t just a niche market—it’s the future of fashion. And as more people embrace sustainability, and more brands get on board with ethical production, we’re confident that we can make a lasting impact on both the environment and the lives of the people who make our clothes.

Thanks For Being Here

Sustainable swimwear matters because it challenges the destructive cycle of fast fashion and offers a more ethical, eco-friendly alternative. At Origami Customs, we’re proud to lead the way with our commitment to sustainable materials, ethical labor practices, and high-quality products that are made to last. By choosing sustainable swimwear, you’re not just making a statement about your values—you’re helping to create a better world for all of us.

We invite you to explore our collection of sustainable swimwear and join us in making a difference. Together, we can build a future where fashion is kind to both people and the planet.