Surfing in Style
Billabong has developed what is believed to be the world’s most flexible eco-friendly wetsuit, called the B9 Platinum. Made of 90 percent recycled polyester and 10 percent spandex and limestone-based neoprene, the wetsuit is another example of the great products being made from recycled plastics.
Billabong manufactured the wetsuit for the Project BLUE initiative, a collaboration of surf industry brands contributing to the Surfrider Foundation for marine conservation and protection. Project Blue believes conscious consumers can “make change happen by reducing, reusing, recycling and making purchasing decisions that are in favor of helping what millions around the world enjoy every day.”
In a karmatic move the ocean and its marine life would certainly appreciate, the recycled plastic comes from resources that are often sources of marine pollution, such as old fishing nets and plastic bottles. The Platinum B9 wetsuit uses 80 percent less energy consumption to manufacture and produces 80 percent less carbon dioxide emissions that a traditional wetsuit.
Thinking the recycled wetsuit might not be as flexible and protective as a traditional wetsuit? Think again. The technology used to develop the wetsuit is some of the most advanced in the industry (see video below).
Billabong will provide $25 toward the purchase of a new Billabong wetsuit if old suits are brought in to an authorized Billabong dealer. Disposing of that old surfboard as well? Make sure to recycle it with ReSurf.org.
