What is neoprene? Neoprene is a common name for two different types of synthetic rubber.
There is oil-based neoprene (Chloroprene) and limestone-based neoprene (Polychloroprene).
Manufacture the petroleum-based material comes at a huge environmental and human cost. We know that producing neoprene contributes to climate change and that the toxic gasses emitted in the chemical processing plants cause cancer.
Limestone is a sedimentary rock created over millions of years from fossilised marine organisms. It requires vast amounts of energy and water to turn it into polychloroprene. Some wetsuits are now made from limestone neoprene and with corn or bamboo as a component of the materials. The bamboo fibres have to be treated with extremely corrosive solvents, which are extremely harmful to nature and the environment. The corn is fermented to produce polylactic acid (PLA) fibre, its genetically modified seeds have been treated with pesticides, which are then released back into the sea via groundwater. The only advantage of mined limestone over oil is that transportation accidents cannot lead to large-scale environmental pollution and an oil spill.
But not only the manufacturing process is harmful. The fabric flakes off during use releasing microparticles that are harmful to all ocean’s living creatures. If you ask an environmentalist, he or she will say that both rubber and plastic are dangerous. Both when burned cause an emission of toxic gases or we can say poisonous fumes. Neither rubber is more harmful than plastic.
Synthetic and natural rubber fragments now occur in food, pollute as particulates the air and are hidden in the earth as soil pollution and in waterways, lakes and the sea. Besides rubber from tires, the sources can be all kinds of rubber stuff and of course neoprene wetsuits, too!!! Conclusion: all water sports enthusiasts, no matter whether divers, surfers, kiters or whoever wears neoprene, are considerably burdening ourselves and the environment by wearing neoprene suits.
The words “eco” or “green” are constantly being strained. For most manufacturers, they merely serve as a sales aid.
OK, it has to be seen realistic: Every production generates waste and pollutes the environment. The truth is that nobody can live 100% eco friendly now. Humans and our civilization is not nature friendly at all. But we should try to do our best: select trash, don’t use single using plastic, don’t wear neoprene wetsuits underwater … of course we all use mobile phones, drive by car and fly by aeroplane. The paradox is – you can’t care about environment without still damage it.
When I see the global environmental situation I think humans have no other alternative and must be more sustainable than in the past. There is no reason to return to the „Big Gatsby“ lifestyle. I’m sure that Mermaid Protector offers more sustainable wetsuits than all made from any other kind of rubber. Actually they are only two really eco friendly wetsuits fabrics – made from recycled polyester and from recycled nylon. All other methods are like pulling the wool over ones eyes.
Our fabric is made from recycled polyester, it means that they are coming originally from PET plastic bottles. If we were to compare this fiber against natural fibers like cotton, it may still be plastic, but it also has its advantages. We all love cotton, but unless it is organic cotton, we cannot forget the environmental impact of pesticides, chemicals and fertilizers that go into manufacturing the crop.
Recycled polyester doesn’t require agricultural land, nor does it consume gallons of water like cotton does. Compare it with silk, and you have to agree that no living creatures are harmed during its manufacture, making it a more ethical option. Both of these fabrics only have a limited life span. They cannot be reused in the same way as polyester and even though they do eventually breakdown it can still take years and years to decompose.
With nearly 800,000 tons of clothes sent to landfills every year, wouldn‘t you agree that recycling textiles is becoming increasingly necessary?
