Vance Bikinis is in its early growth stage. We're guided by sustainability principles, but we're not yet a fully sustainable company. Right now, we don't have the scale or profit to invest in the most advanced fabrics or offset every ton of CO₂ we produce.
But I believe sustainability starts with transparency. That's our first step.
Currently, the bikinis are made using eco-dyes paired with recycled fabrics that include Eco CO₂ Control and UV protection. Production runs are intentionally limited to reduce waste, and I've begun tracking emissions to hold Vance Bikinis and my production team accountable. It's a complex, often tedious process, but an important one. My commitment is to release a full, transparent emissions report every two years of production.
My long-term goal is a carbon-neutral company. That means directly addressing emissions from production in Brazil and international freight by investing in Amazon reforestation, one of the most direct and measurable ways to offset what we emit.
Right now, all our resources are sourced entirely within Brazil, which keeps our supply chain simple and transparent. As I learn more and resources expand, I want to move toward a circular economy model, where every input and output is tracked, traced, and repurposed. Eventually, I hope to dedicate a percentage of each sale to Green Projects in Brazil, and specifically in Porto Alegre, where our production takes place.
These commitments are personal to me. My studies showed me that the most impactful sustainable companies start with radical transparency. It's what lets us confront the reality of production and refine our practices, step by step, toward true sustainability.
I don't run a fully sustainable company. But every decision I make now is a step toward that future.
What we are doing now
Materials: We currently use Ecosense fabric by Diklatex, a recycled polyester textile that gives new life to existing plastic waste while reducing dependence on virgin petroleum-based fibers.
Our fabrics are produced in a hydro and solar-powered mill, significantly lowering carbon emissions compared to conventional textile manufacturing.
Some fabrics also incorporate degradable technology designed to reduce long-term end-of-life pollution.
Together, these choices support these important goals: Circularity through recycled materials and more responsible end-of-life design.
Manufacturing: Our bikinis are handmade 100% by women in small production runs rather than mass manufactured. Small-scale production helps reduce overproduction, excess inventory, and material waste while supporting craftsmanship and more human-centered manufacturing practices.
Packaging: We avoid individual plastic packaging completely and use recyclable shipping materials to reduce single-use waste.
End-of-Life Disposal: Swimwear naturally goes through a lot: salt water, sun, stretching, travel. We offer free minor repairs and fix-ups on Vance bikinis whenever possible, to help extend the life of each piece instead of replacing it. Message info@vancebikinis.com for repairs.
Challenges
Dyes + Elastics: Most swimwear dyes and elastics still rely heavily on synthetic and petroleum-based materials. Elastane, which gives swimwear its stretch, remains difficult to recycle or biodegrade.
Shipping Emissions: Producing in Brazil and shipping internationally creates transportation emissions that we are actively working to offset and reduce over time.
Conservation Goals
We also work to acknowledge and offset smaller impacts that add up over time, including transportation emissions.
As the brand grows, we aim to support verified ecosystem restoration and carbon reduction projects focused on forests, mangroves, oceans, and biodiversity protection.
