Sustainability

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber produced for wetsuits and scuba gear. Though its unique insulation properties make it an ideal fabric for keeping surfers and divers warm, wetsuits usually only have a lifespan of 1-2 years. If disposed of, the suits end up in landfills, and as neoprene is petrochemical-based waste, the fabric does not biodegrade.

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How does this impact the environment? The accumulation of matter in a landfill, in turn, releases methane gas. In the global scope, open landfills account for a staggering 91% of methane emissions (nature.org). A little less than half of the world's trash is burned (scientificamerican.com), posing a further risk of heavy carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.

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How can we make a difference? By recycling and reusing old wetsuits rather than trashing them, waste is diverted from landfills, and gas emissions are not increased. In creating this project, I thought about how I could turn wetsuit upcycling into a zero-waste process. Fabric scraps can be cut out of the suit to create various objects, such as small pouches, wallets, or even hats. The excess fabric can then be donated to a recycling organization, some of which combine neoprene with rubber in order to make shoe soles and others that mold neoprene into yoga mats. By reducing the number of fabric scraps thrown away, we can choose not to contribute to the global accumulation of waste. 

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