The Wetsuit Guide: Sustainability
Historically, the wetsuit manufacturing process has produced large amounts of unusable waste. In addition, harmful chemicals are often used – from the fabric dying process to the glues that hold the seams together. Once the suit is retired and no longer usable, neoprene isn’t biodegradable, which releases toxic chemicals into landfills.
That said, in recent years, many wetsuit companies have recognized the importance of using more environmentally friendly manufacturing practices. Now more than ever, wetsuit companies are starting to incorporate recycled materials into their products and adopting manufacturing practices that result in less waste and, most importantly, treat the workers fairly while providing a safe work environment.
With the wetsuit industry trending towards producing more sustainable products, the Cleanline Surf staff combined their knowledge and experience to help define a few common industry terms. We’ll first review the terms and then list what wetsuit companies utilize the different eco-friendly practices and materials in their products.
Eco-Friendly Rubber
Yulex Rubber
Yulex is a plant-based neoprene alternative developed by Patagonia. It shares similar warmth and flexibility characteristics to neoprene but has a much smaller carbon footprint, can be sustainably produced, and is more environmentally friendly.
Limestone Neoprene
Calcium carbonate from limestone is a natural ingredient with less environmental impact than petroleum-based neoprene. Limestone neoprene has more advanced characteristics than petroleum in terms of warmth, flexibility, and weight while being less harmful to the environment. Most wetsuit manufacturers now use limestone-based neoprene.
Eco-Friendly Glue and Dye
Aqua Alpha Water-Based Glue
AquaAlpha water-based glue is safer than the traditionally used solvent-based glue. AquaA is free from VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), which, when exposed, can cause eye irritation and headaches.
Dope Dyed Yarn
Dope-dyed yarn dramatically reduces energy consumption and water usage compared to piece dying. Piece dying involves using significant amounts of water, CO2, and power consumption.
Recycled Materials
100% Recycled Materials
There are a few brands that produce certain parts of the wetsuit, such as internal liners, using 100% recycled materials. However, Billabong is one of the few companies that produces an entire wetsuit from recycled materials.
Partially Recycled Materials
Recycled oyster shells, rubber tires, nylon, polyester, spandex, P.E.T. fibers, scrap rubber, and Graphene infused with recycled fibers are just a few of the commonly used recycled materials in today’s wetsuits. Ultimately, by using partially recycled materials during the production process, there is less waste, keeping our oceans cleaner for future generations.
Eco Carbon Black
Eco Carbon Black is an eco-friendly material made up of recycled tires. It makes up the main ingredient in the neoprene. Through the use of high temperature, hypoxia, and negative pressure, wetsuit manufacturers are able to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
Wetsuit Recycling
Biodegradable Wetsuit
Some wetsuits are embedded with CiCLO, a biodegradable enzyme. When the wetsuit is retired and placed in a landfill, CiCLO attracts microbes to its fibers when exposed to a conducive environment for biodegradation. Over time, these microbes mineralize the fibers, facilitating breakdown.
Wetsuit Recycling Program
Cleanline Surf has partnered with Rip Curl’s Wetsuit Recycling Program. Simply drop your wetsuit off at one of our stores, and we’ll take care of the rest – free of charge. Any surf-branded wetsuit is eligible. Rip Curl works with TerraCycle to recycle old and retired wetsuits destined for landfills. The materials from the suit are reprocessed into their original raw forms and utilized in the production of new products.
Eco-Friendly Business Model
Fair Trade Certified Factory
Brands such as Patagonia produce wetsuits in a Fair Trade Certified Factory. To be considered a Fair Trade Factory, specific requirements and principles must be met, such as providing safe working conditions for workers, promoting sustainable livelihoods, protecting the environment, and maintaining strong supply chains.
Certified B Corporation
To qualify for the rigorous standards of B Corporation certification, for-profit companies are evaluated in five key areas: governance, employees, customers, community, and environmental impact. B Corps prioritizes the well-being of both people and the planet in addition to profit. Rip Curl's attainment of B Corp certification was reached by various initiatives such as the implementation of solar panels at their Torquay headquarters and Thailand wetsuit factory, collaboration with Surf Aid to preserve ocean health, and the establishment of a wetsuit recycling program, among others.
Bluesign Certified
Wetsuits that use Bluesign-certified materials have been manufactured using strict safety and environmental requirements regarding chemical consumption, carbon emission, water consumption, energy consumption, and worker health and safety. If an item contains Bluesign-certified materials, it will contain a bluesignⓇ logo on the product tag.
FSC Certified
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a global non-profit organization dedicated to establishing strict standards aimed at promoting environmentally responsible forestry practices. For example, Patagonia and Billabong source their natural rubber from hevea trees located in FSC-certified areas.
Eco-Friendly Wetsuit Features by Brand
Billabong
- Natural Rubber
- AquaA Glue
- Bluesign Certified
- Recycled Carbon Black
- Recycler packaging
- Airlite featuring CiCLO
- Graphene Recycler Plus
- Upcycler Airlite 4D Jersey and Pro Stretch
Buell
- Limestone based neoprene
Cleanline
- Yamamoto Limestone based neoprene
Isurus
- Yamamoto Limestone based neoprene
- Bluesign and Oeka Certified Jersey
- Dope Dyed jersey
Manera
- Limestone based neoprene
- ALT Meteor uses 100% Yulex rubber
- Recycled neoprene and jerseys
- Recycled carbon black
- AquaA Glue
- Dope dyed yarn
O’Neill
- Recycled oyster shells and eco carbon black-infused neoprene
- Recycled dope-dyed yarn jersey
- Limestone based neoprene
- The Blueprint model features recycled graphene fibers
- Recycled oyster shells in neoprene
- AquaA Glue
- Neoprene from recycled plastic
- Bluesign approved fabrics
Patagonia
- Yulex Natural Rubber
- Made in a Fair Trade Factory
- Recycled nylon
- FSC Certified
- Solution dyed linings
- AquaA Glue
Quiksilver / Roxy
- Crushed oyster shell ingredient in some neoprenes
- Limestone based neoprene
- Recycled scrap rubber tires and eco-carbon black
- Recycled nylon linings
- AquaA Glue
- Dope dyed yarn
- Bluesign system partner
Rip Curl
- Wetsuit Recycling Program
- B Certified Corporation
Sisstrevolution / Vissla
- Limestone based neoprene
- Upcycled oyster shells infused in neoprene
- Eco Carbon Black neoprene
- Recycled nylon exterior jersey
- Dope dyed yarn
- AquaA Glue
- Bluesign system partner
Volcom
- Eco Carbon Black neoprene
- Infused oyster powder limestone neoprene
- Dope dyed yarn
- Aqua X Glue
How flexible are sustainably built wetsuits?
Eco-friendly alternatives to neoprene include natural rubber or recycled materials. These options can vary in flexibility depending on their composition and how they are processed. Billabong’s Natural Rubber is quite comparable in terms of flexibility to its neoprene competition. Over the years, Patagonia’s Yulex has made leaps and bounds with its flexibility properties.
How warm are sustainably built wetsuits?
Today’s wetsuits that contain eco-friendly materials are just as warm, or in some cases, even better at providing warmth compared to traditional materials.
How durable are sustainably built wetsuits?
Some sustainable wetsuits are designed to last longer through careful material selection, seam construction and placement, and construction methods. Additionally, providing guidance on proper care and maintenance can help users prolong the lifespan of their wetsuits, further enhancing durability.