Why We Use ECONYL®: The Regenerated Nylon Turning Waste Into Swimwear
“Sustainable” is a powerful word—and at Saturday Swimwear, we believe it carries real weight, especially when it comes to what we choose to wear in the water. Central to our mission is ECONYL®, an innovative regenerated nylon fiber that turns alarming statistics into inspiring actions.
👚 From Waste to Wardrobe
Econyl® begins its life in the ocean and on land, salvaging discarded materials—old fishing nets, carpet scraps, and industrial nylon waste—and transforms them into premium-grade fabric. Each ton of collected waste helps remove pollution that otherwise would persist for centuries.
🌍 Dramatic Reduction in Oil Use & Carbon Footprint
The environmental benefits of Econyl® are significant:
Crude oil savings: Every 10,000 tons of Econyl® generated saves about 70,000 barrels of crude oil—equivalent to powering thousands of homes per year.
CO₂ emissions slashed: That same amount avoids 61,500–65,100 tons of CO₂ emissions, reducing global warming impact by approximately 80–90% compared to nylon made from oil.
🌱 Closed-Loop & Infinitely Recyclable
Econyl® is chemically identical to virgin nylon 6, meaning it's just as durable and stretchy—an ideal choice for swimwear. Even better? It's infinitely recyclable within its closed-loop system—broken down to monomer form and repolymerized over and over without degrading. We are still working to find a recycling partner to help us close the loop on our products. Stay tuned!
🔋 Powered by Renewable Energy
Aquafil’s facilities use a significant portion of renewable energy—hydropower and wind—for part of the Econyl® production process. They’ve reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by around 64% over the past five years. This means Econyl® is not just recycled; it’s responsibly produced too.
🐠 Ocean Cleanup & Community Involvement
Discarded fishing nets, often called “ghost nets,” are among the biggest threats to marine life—killing whales, turtles, and seabirds every year. Econyl® turns these harmful materials into high-performance swimwear fabric while supporting organizations like Healthy Seas®, which engage divers in retrieving marine debris.
Why This Matters to You (and the Earth)
When you choose swimwear made of Econyl®, you're not just buying a swimsuit—you’re:
Minimizing reliance on fossil fuels: you help replace virgin nylon in global supply chains.
Reducing greenhouse gases: each recycled ton materially reduces CO₂ emissions.
Supporting ocean cleanup efforts: your purchase contributes to marine biodiversity protection.
Backing a truly circular model: Econyl® can be regenerated indefinitely, aligning with the core ethos of circular fashion.
We choose Econyl® because it not only feels luxurious and performs beautifully—it aligns with our values of longevity, transparency, and environmental responsibility. Paired with our local production and timeless design, it makes each piece a conscious investment that stands the test of time.
We’re proud to bring you swimwear that loves the planet as much as you do.
Resources
https://econyl.aquafil.com/sustainability/