Multiple products we sell from different companies are tagged “sustainable,” because this matters, right? It matters to them, and it definitely matters to us. These companies share a common goal: to generate sustainable diving and manufacture high-quality products to protect consumers and oceans.
So, put on “I Gotta Try” by Michael McDonald (whose voice is like velvet, btw!) and discover where these brands are coming from.
Fourth Element | With Sustainable Diving, There Is Hope
“Escape the Ordinary”
Fourth Element started 25 years ago when Paul Strike and Jim Standing had a couple of beers after a dive. Their vision? To be the global leading dive and ocean sports brand. They wanted a brand shaped by passion for the ocean, driven by innovation. All while in pursuit of sustainable diving.
Fourth Element UK-based operations run 100% on solar-powered energy. They recycle 99% of their waste, compost organic waste on-site. Any paper the use is made by other sustainable brands. They are committed to doing much more.
Fourth Element has made a vow to have 90% of their products made from 30% regenerated materials, repairing or recycling 100% of their products by 2030. That’s six years from now and that’s HUGE!
Fourth Element considers the environment in every decision. That is the base of Fourth Element and their Ocean Positive movement. They have taken big strides in transforming their packaging. In fact, Fourth Element’s packaging is made from natural resources or recycled goods. Additionally, it is 100% water soluble, compostable, recyclable and biodegradable.
Fourth Element’s Storm Poncho
The Fourth Element Storm Poncho not only warms you up, but it also dries you fast. It keeps you from getting stinky with breathability, and gives you enhanced UV ray reflection.
Almost 40% of the poncho is constructed with S.Café® yarn. S.Cafe® uses coffee grounds and water bottles to make recycled polyester. This material brings the Fourth Element Poncho to the next level of performance.
Other than lowering environmental impact with the materials used, the Fourth Element Storm Poncho outperforms cotton by 100%. Ocean positive? Definitely.
The Fourth Element Storm Poncho has the bluesign® seal of approval. bluesign® approves products that are safe for the environment, workers and customers in textile.
SCUBAPRO | Come Clean for Nature
“For Divers, By Divers”
SCUBAPRO started with the passion to make the best engineered dive gear possible that would have the least impact on our oceans. 60 years later, it remains clear with SCUBAPRO’s pledge: be environmentally responsible. They fulfill this promise from their materials to the way they ship their goods.
SCUBAPRO CARES
SCUBAPRO doesn’t start and end at sustainable diving in the form of products, they bring it full circle with the SCUBAPRO CARES program.
It’s not just a one-man show, they work together with our communities, and sponsor conservation-focused organizations. They are dedicated to the preservation and health of our oceans. Outside of that, they make efforts to encourage divers to be part of the conversation.
Spacefish Army | Eco-Fashion for Divers
“[We are] inspired to share our love of the ocean through unique wearable art”- Morgan, Spacefish Army Founder
Spacefish Army is USA based women-owned and operated business since 2018. And if you don’t know who they are, your tank is running low. They define eco-fashion for divers.
They push out creative scuba jackets, dive shorts, dive pants, rash guards, dive socks, and more for both men and women. The vibrant artwork? Amazing. Four-way stretch fabric with up to SPF+50 for comfort and sun protection? Amazing. Fabricated with high quality recycled polyester? AMAZING.
Spacefish Army is committed to minimizing their carbon footprint as much as possible. Their eco-fashion wear is made of recycled polyester from water bottles and single use plastics. Their products are sure to last as well, with higher thread count and reinforced sealing.
Hawaii Uncharted Research Collective
Since the beginning, Spacefish Army, has been annually donating a portion of their profits to the Hawaii Uncharted Research Collective. The Collective’s mission is to research, protect, and educate communities about whale sharks. Sustainable diving is more enjoyable when swimming with the largest fish in the ocean!
Henderson | The First of the Firsts
Did you know that Henderson wetsuits have been around for 60 years now? Starting out in New Jersey in the 60’s, they were producing wetsuits exclusively for the US Military which then led to the diving industry.
It was in the 80’s when Henderson was the first company to recognize women in the diving world. They created a full line of suits designed just for women. Now, Henderson is in the lead with their Greenprene® wetsuits. Greenprene® is made from sustainable plant-based sources like sugarcane, plant oils, empty oyster shells, and deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR).
DPNR is a purified form of natural rubber (NR); NR is harvested from Hevea Brasiliensis, AKA ‘The Rubber Tree’ which secretes the original rubber material. With removing proteins it becomes longer lasting and biodegradable. The outcome? Henderson Greenprene® rubber.
It is not only 100% neoprene-free, it is superior to neoprene. It’s lighter, giving you more freedom of movement. Sustainable durability, making it longer-lasting and resistant to UV light. Greenprene® rubber has been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) BioPreferred® Program as a USDA Biobased product.
Henderson Greenprene® Wetsuit Materials
Henderson Greenprene® Wetsuits are manufactured with AQUA-SILK™ and BIO-SPAN™ fabrics, both made from recycled plastic water bottles. These fabrics have been tested AZO-free and are Oeko-tex 100 certified.
AQUA-SILK™ (88% recycled polyester and 12% spandex) is the exterior fabric laminate on these wetsuits – it’s fast drying and extremely pill and abrasion-resistant.
BIO-SPAN™ (88% recycled polyester and 12% Nylon) is the interior – it brings you extreme comfort, insane amount of stretchiness, and thermal efficiency that will keep you warm no matter the depth.
Cherry on top? Each Greenprene® Wetsuit is hand wrapped with paper, packaged with cardboard cores to help prevent compression marks from folding, and shipped in a cardboard box – all recyclables. From start to finish, you can see Henderson’s commitment to sustainability for you and for our oceans.
Stream2Sea | Sustainable diving for you and our waters.
Stream2Sea is more than just an ‘eco-friendly’ brand – they care about your skin AND they care about what’s underwater.
Almost 10 years ago, cosmetic chemist founder Autumn Blum, established Stream2Sea’s basis – to formulate and test products that would not contain any chemical components that could bring harm to our bodies OR to aquatic life. No other skincare company ever considered that THEN or do any NOW. The innovative ambitions Stream2Sea stands by has become a proven success.
Stream2Sea Against Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)
What we put on our skin doesn’t just absorb into our bloodstream, it goes down the drain as well – to our rivers, lakes and oceans – no matter where you live.
Ever heard of EDCs? EDCs are chemicals, or mixtures of chemicals, that can cause negative impacts. Exposure can lead to altered growth and development, behavioral changes, cancer, reproduction issues, metabolism and more – this applies to us and aquatic life.
The impact that EDCs can cause has escalated to the level that the [EPA] has created a special program to research and monitor the effects on our ecosystem. Stream2Sea makes it part of their foundation that none of their products contain any EDC’s.
Verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Stream2Sea’s mineral based products do not contain any known or suspected ingredients that can be damaging. Just so you know – the EWG is like that to-be mother-in-law you haven’t met yet. They have a very strict scientific standard for transparency and health; that level of verification shows you how much Stream2Sea cares.
Steam2Sea’s Packaging and Background
It’s not just the product, the packaging makes a difference, too. Stream2Sea’s packaging is manufactured from sugarcane resin or PCR milk jugs (post-consumer recycled plastic), this makes it 100% sustainable while eliminating harmful plastics from their production. Using bio-based or recyclable materials reduces the impact on the environment and brings more hope of sustainability for our earth.
Stream2Sea is a woman-owned, veteran-operated, and USA-based company that cares a lot. They are centered on the safety and impact of their products – for our bodies, our coral reefs, and our aquatic life – Stream2Sea is the definition of being EcoConscious.
Conclusion
“We all look for truth in this life, searching for hope inside, if it’s so hard living in a desperate world, we all do the best we can.” – Michael McDonald
