Sustainability

Green is the new black when it comes to wetsuits — and by that, we don’t mean the color. There’s a new trend in the wetsuit industry, and it involves using sustainably-sourced materials to replace petroleum-based neoprene commonly found in most wetsuits today. So what’s the reason behind the switch? According to news, 500,000 surfers in the United Kingdom replace their wetsuits once every two years, leading to over 380 tons of non-biodegradable waste ending up in landfills every year. Because of this, surfers are now looking for ‘green’ alternatives to effectively reduce their carbon footprint and help save the planet.  In this article, we’ll be talking about the harmful effects of conventional neoprene used in making wetsuits, including how the use of plant-based rubber is slowly changing the industry. Here you’ll also find the best eco-friendly wetsuits in the market so you can enjoy surfing without the guilt.  What are conventional wetsuits made of? Wetsuits provide protection and insulation to keep you warm in cold-water surfing; hence why their constructed material should be as durable as it is heat-retaining.  In 1930, Dupont Company invented the synthetic rubber used for manufacturing different surfing gear, and in 1951, the first-ever neoprene wetsuit was created. The neoprene material that they used was similar in many ways to natural rubber — it’s durable, bouncy, weather-proof, and water-resistant; however, there are many problems that come with neoprene such as its manufacturing process, as well as its sources. Neoprene from petroleum Neoprene is made by melting polychloroprene rubber chips mixed with foaming ingredients and coloring pigments such as black, then it’s baked in an oven to expand. After baking, the gas bubbles it produced make neoprene a good insulating material.  Although neoprene from petroleum is generally safe to wear and get contact the skin, it’s a non-biodegradable material. Sourcing and manufacturing pose harmful risks to the environment, as well as your health. In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency determined that the substances and chemicals emitted from oil-derived neoprene are carcinogens, or substances known to cause cancer in humans.  This means that if you live nearby a neoprene manufacturing plant or you’re constantly exposed to its fumes because you work inside its factory, you could be at risk of developing cancer in the long term. Meanwhile, short-term exposure may cause health hazards such as respiratory problems, dizziness, chest pains, skin irritation, headache, and reduced blood pressure.  Neoprene from limestones Aside from petroleum, researchers found out that neoprene fabric can also be derived from a calcium carbonate mineral known as limestones. These rocks produce a lighter, more flexible, and more stretchable fabric compared to their predecessor.  In the 1960s, many people believed that limestones are the ‘greener alternatives to petroleum’; however, this theory is inaccurate. Limestones are mined from the deepest of the earth, which doesn’t exactly make it environmentally friendly. Its sources are limited, and limestones are non-renewable. Also, converting this rock to become a fabric produces more carbon dioxide emissions than its oil-derived counterpart. Top 5 Best Eco-Friendly Wetsuits Even if neoprene’s sources and manufacturing process are already proven to be harmful, a lot of companies still use these materials in making wetsuits today. But since surfers are now becoming aware of its negative impact on the environment, they try to make a change by choosing eco-friendly wetsuit alternatives.  But with several wetsuit brands claiming they’re going ‘green’, how do you know which one is the real deal? We’ve searched high and low for the top 5 most sustainable brands, including their environmentally friendly wetsuits that eco-minded surfers will surely love.  Patagonia R3 Yulex Back-Zip Full Suit Vissla Eco Seas’ 3/2.5 Full Suit Xcel’s Infiniti LTD Wetsuit  Picture Organic’s Dome 3/2 FZ Billabong’s Furnace Natural Zipperless Full Wetsuit #1: Patagonia R3 Yulex Back-Zip Full Suit Perhaps the best thing that ever happened to the wetsuit industry is when Patagonia invented Yulex — an innovative fabric that substitutes for the use of synthetic rubber in wetsuits.  Unlike neoprene, Yulex is a plant-based material that is sourced from trees. It’s both renewable and sustainable because the trees used by Patagonia are able to produce rubber for 30 years. They are also certified by the Forest Stewardship Council by Rainforest Alliance, which means that the trees they source from are from certified plantations that don’t contribute to deforestation.  But everything didn’t start as smoothly as Patagonia planned. Their first version of Yulex wetsuits was free from synthetic rubber; however, they are not as well-fitting and flexible as neoprene wetsuits. They’re also not very warm and they were very uncomfortable to wear.  So when the Yulex 2.0 was released, Patagonia loyalists rejoiced — not only was this version 20% more stretchable than its predecessor, but it was also 5% softer and lighter. This makes it fast-drying and easy to store in bags. Take note that Patagonia only uses 85% of Yulex on its products, as 15% of the material used on this wetsuit is chlorine-free synthetic rubber polymer. Although this brand is technically not 100% sustainable, its many efforts in preserving the environment count in so many ways.  Patagonia wears many hats, and aside from making use of Yulex for the R3 Yulex wetsuit, they also color it with solution-dyed linings that save up to 86% water in production or 100 liters of water. This process also enables them to reduce their carbon emissions by 96%.  To take its environmental vision a couple of steps further, this company disregards the use of solvent-based glues and opted for water-based instead for this wetsuit’s lamination. Meanwhile, the face of their fabric and the thermal microgrid lining uses recycled polyester to reduce waste.  This full suit is made for dynamic movements. The fabric stretches without binding joints, and it gives more flex in the shoulder so you are freer to move. Finally, the cost of the R3 Yulex wetsuit is $489. It has a higher price point than the other brands on this list because of its reputation and the … Read more