PlastfriIs nylon plastic?
Yes — nylon is plastic. It was the first fully synthetic fiber ever made, a polyamide polymer derived from crude oil.
What nylon actually is
Nylon (labeled “polyamide” or “PA” in Europe) was invented by DuPont in 1935 as a silk substitute. It is a thermoplastic: heat it and it melts, exactly like any other plastic.
Its strength and elasticity make it the default for tights, swimwear, activewear, windbreakers, backpacks, and umbrellas.
The microplastic problem
Nylon sheds microfibers in the wash just like polyester, and swimwear sheds directly into pools and oceans. Nylon production is also energy-intensive and releases nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas roughly 270 times more potent than CO₂.
How Plastfri scores it
Nylon and polyamide both score 100/100. A typical swimsuit at “82% nylon, 18% elastane” scores 100 — both fibers are fully synthetic.
- Wool (base layers)
- Cotton canvas (bags)
- Silk (hosiery era alternatives are limited — buy fewer, better)
Common questions
Is polyamide the same as nylon?
Yes. Polyamide is the generic chemical name; nylon is the common (originally trade) name. On EU labels you will usually see “polyamide”.
Is recycled nylon (Econyl) still plastic?
Yes. Regenerated nylon diverts waste like fishing nets, which is good — but the resulting fiber is still plastic and still sheds.
Plastfri spots nylon for you. Scores every product while you shop — covers, dims, or labels the high-plastic ones.
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