| As divers, surfers and water enthusiasts, we need | | | | Some independent retailers have trade-in schemes |
| good equipment and apparel to keep us safe and | | | | and incentives for customers wishing to get new |
| comfortable. A wetsuit is an important component | | | | wetsuits. We need more of these efforts from both |
| but could we be more environmentally-friendly with | | | | the retailers and the manufacturers. |
| neoprene? After all, we take up water activities | | | | If you want to purchase a new wetsuit, ask the |
| because we love the natural environment and want | | | | shop if they'll do a trade-in. If not, see if any local |
| to do our best to look after it. | | | | sporting good shops have recycling bins for old |
| Neoprene | | | | apparel. In addition, second-hand stores and charity |
| Neoprene, the mainstay of wetsuits, are synthetic | | | | outlets may be willing to take your suit. |
| rubbers made from petroleum. Petroleum is a | | | | Hold on to your old suits |
| non-renewable resource. With so many people in | | | | As with so many items, there are wearers who go |
| diving, surfing and other water sports, there are a lot | | | | with the fashion and throw away the wetsuit as |
| of neoprene suits in the world. In addition to the | | | | soon as they see another one that they just "like |
| material being not-so-eco-friendly, the manufacturing | | | | better" or are in the latest cut and style. Visit a dive |
| process of neoprene can leave a hefty footprint. | | | | show and see all the "holiday divers" choosing suits |
| Manufacturers have experimented and substituted | | | | purely based on the latest fashion trends. While it is |
| other materials. There have been wetsuits made of | | | | understandable that looks matter, it really isn't |
| lower proportion of neoprene and greater use of | | | | necessary to change a suit every 50 dives. |
| other components such as polyester, limestone-based | | | | By looking after the suits, they will last longer. Wash |
| materials and bamboo. But neoprene remains the bulk | | | | them after use and dry them before putting them |
| and mainstay of most wetsuits. There are greener | | | | away. |
| options but for efficiency, it's hard to beat neoprene. | | | | Small rips and tears are repairable. Hats off to all |
| So there really isn't a perfect alternative material for | | | | those with old wetsuit patched up. |
| wetsuits YET. This is one for the Research and | | | | Buy a good one |
| Development folks. But in the meantime, there are | | | | The bargain basement suit from a discount store are |
| simple things we can remember to avoid adding to | | | | not good value for money. In order to be durable - |
| the landfills and waste mountains with our old | | | | and long lasting - the suit has to be made of good |
| wetsuits. | | | | quality neoprene with high level of workmanship. |
| Recycling | | | | Not all neoprene suits are created equal. If a suit is |
| Neoprene can be recycled. Its properties make it | | | | efficiently-insulated, less neoprene material is required |
| ideal for recycling. Items made from recycled | | | | to provide the same level of thermal protection. |
| neoprene include: footwear, laptop covers, medical | | | | Like so many things in life, if you buy a good quality |
| appliances AND more wetsuits. | | | | wetsuit, it will last you a long time. If we all did this, |
| Rip Curl, a surf apparel manufacturer, launched a | | | | the landfills would not be as choked up. A wetsuit is |
| neoprene recycling program in 2007 and last year, | | | | an investment for the long haul and we're paying |
| their flagship shop in southern England held a national | | | | good money for it. It's an investment for the oceans, |
| 'Wetsuit Amnesty'. | | | | rivers and lakes as well as for ourselves. |