You know that moment at the end of winter when you pull the kids' wetsuits out of the garage, hold them up, and realise they've somehow shrunk three sizes since April? (They haven't. Your children have just grown at a rate that defies both logic and your budget.)
So the old suits go in the bin. And you buy new ones. And the cycle continues.
Multiply that by every surf-mad, beach-obsessed family in Australia — and then the rest of the world — and you start to get a picture of a problem that doesn't get nearly enough attention: the sheer environmental cost of the humble wetsuit.
The Numbers Are Hard to Ignore
Globally, an estimated 8,380 tonnes of wetsuits are discarded every year. That's not a typo. Eight thousand, three hundred and eighty tonnes of synthetic rubber heading for landfill, annually.
Australia is one of the world's biggest wetsuit markets per capita, thanks to millions of surfers and a coastline that basically demands you own neoprene. Our share of that global waste adds up to hundreds of tonnes of old wetsuits hitting Australian landfill every single year.
And here's the bit that really stings: neoprene doesn't biodegrade. Not in any meaningful timeframe, anyway. A wetsuit tossed in landfill today will still be sitting there when your grandchildren's grandchildren are arguing about whose turn it is to put the bins out. Estimates put neoprene's decomposition timeline at over 100 years — and some researchers suggest it could be significantly longer.
What Neoprene Actually Is (And Why That Matters)
Most people think of neoprene as just "wetsuit stuff." Fair enough. But here's what it actually is: polychloroprene, a synthetic rubber derived from petroleum or limestone. Both are non-renewable resources. Both require energy-intensive extraction. And the manufacturing process that turns them into the stretchy black panels in your kid's wetsuit is about as gentle on the atmosphere as you'd expect.
The production of neoprene releases approximately 6.49 kg of CO2 equivalent per kilogram of material, according to EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program data. A single full-length wetsuit uses around 2-3 kg of neoprene, which means each suit carries a carbon footprint of roughly 13-20 kg of CO2 before it even leaves the factory.
Scale that up. The wetsuit industry produces an estimated 244 million pounds of CO2 emissions annually — just from manufacturing. That's the production side alone, before you factor in shipping, packaging, retail, and the eventual trip to landfill.
And then there's the chemical side. The EPA classified chloroprene — the key chemical in neoprene production — as a likely human carcinogen back in 2010. For a product designed to be worn in the ocean, the irony is not lost.
The Microplastic Problem Nobody Talks About
Here's something that might genuinely surprise you: your wetsuit sheds microplastics while you're wearing it.
Every time neoprene moves through water — every duck-dive, every paddle, every wave caught — friction pulls tiny synthetic fibres from the material. These microplastic particles are invisible to the naked eye but very much visible to marine ecosystems. They enter the food chain through plankton and filter feeders, accumulate in fish, and eventually work their way up to the creatures (and humans) at the top.
Research has found that a single synthetic garment can release thousands to millions of microfibres per wash cycle. Wetsuits aren't typically machine-washed, but the constant exposure to saltwater, sand, and movement means they're shedding fibres directly into the ocean — the very environment they're supposed to help us enjoy.
The Alternatives That Already Exist
This is where the story gets better. Because the solution isn't theoretical — it's already in production.
Yulex is a plant-based natural rubber harvested from FSC-certified rubber trees. It's been around for years, and independent life cycle assessments have confirmed that it produces up to 80% fewer CO2 emissions than petroleum-based neoprene. Same stretch. Same warmth. Same durability. Fundamentally different environmental footprint.
That 80% figure is worth sitting with. If the entire wetsuit industry switched from neoprene to plant-based alternatives like Yulex, the annual CO2 reduction would be staggering.
This is exactly why AVALY chose Yulex for every wetsuit in our range. Not as a premium add-on or a limited-edition eco line — as the standard. Every kids' springsuit and steamer we sell is made with plant-based Yulex rubber, because once you know the numbers, sticking with neoprene just doesn't make sense.
On the swimwear side, ECONYL — regenerated nylon made from recovered ocean waste including abandoned fishing nets — offers a similar story. For every 10,000 tonnes of ECONYL raw material, 70,000 barrels of crude oil stay in the ground. AVALY uses ECONYL across our rashies, one-pieces, and board shorts for the same reason we use Yulex in our wetsuits: the better option already exists, so why not use it?
What You Can Actually Do About It
Sustainability conversations have a habit of making you feel powerless. Here's the good news: when it comes to wetsuits, your choices genuinely matter. The Australian market is big enough that consumer demand shapes what brands produce.
Choose plant-based where possible. Yulex wetsuits perform identically to neoprene. You're not sacrificing warmth, flexibility, or durability. You're just choosing a material that doesn't start its life in an oil refinery. Look after the wetsuits you have. Rinse in fresh water after every use. Dry in the shade — UV and heat break down rubber faster than anything. A well-cared-for wetsuit lasts significantly longer than one bunched up in the boot of the car (we've all done it). Pass them down. Kids outgrow wetsuits faster than they outgrow their obsession with screen time. Hand it to a younger sibling, a cousin, or a mate's kid. The most sustainable wetsuit is one that gets maximum use before it's retired. Repair before replacing. Small tears and broken zips don't have to mean a new wetsuit. AVALY offers free repairs nationwide on all our wetsuits — because extending a product's life is the single most impactful thing you can do for its environmental footprint. Dispose thoughtfully. If a wetsuit truly is done, look for recycling programs rather than the general waste bin. Some organisations repurpose old neoprene into yoga mats, stubby holders, and other products.It's Not About Perfection
Nobody's asking you to hand-weave your children's swimwear from sustainably harvested kelp. (Although if you figure that out, please do share.)
The point is that the wetsuit industry has a measurable environmental problem — 8,380 tonnes of waste, 244 million pounds of CO2, microplastics in the ocean — and the alternatives already exist. Plant-based rubbers like Yulex. Regenerated fabrics like ECONYL. Better care habits that extend product life.
Every wetsuit purchased is a vote for how the industry operates. And right now, Australian families have more power to shift that than they probably realise.
The ocean your kids are swimming in today is the same ocean they'll be taking their kids to in thirty years. What their wetsuits are made of is a surprisingly good place to start protecting it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a neoprene wetsuit take to decompose in landfill?
Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that does not biodegrade in any meaningful timeframe. Estimates suggest it takes over 100 years to break down in landfill, and some researchers believe it could persist for several centuries. During that time, it can continue to leach chemicals and shed microplastic particles into the surrounding soil and groundwater.
What is the environmental impact of making a single wetsuit?
A standard neoprene wetsuit uses approximately 2-3 kg of polychloroprene, producing roughly 13-20 kg of CO2 during manufacturing alone. The raw material is derived from petroleum or limestone — both non-renewable resources — and the production process involves energy-intensive chemical synthesis. The EPA has also classified chloroprene, the key chemical in neoprene production, as a likely human carcinogen.
Are plant-based wetsuits as warm and durable as neoprene?
Yes. Yulex plant-based rubber provides equivalent insulation, stretch, and durability to petroleum-based neoprene of the same thickness. The material is derived from FSC-certified rubber trees and produces up to 80% fewer CO2 emissions during manufacturing. All AVALY Yulex wetsuits are UPF 50+ rated and come with free repairs to extend their lifespan.
What are microplastics and do wetsuits really shed them?
Microplastics are tiny synthetic particles — typically smaller than 5mm — that break off from synthetic materials through friction and wear. Research has confirmed that synthetic garments can release thousands to millions of microfibres per use or wash cycle. Neoprene wetsuits shed these fibres directly into the ocean during normal use, where they enter marine food chains and accumulate in ecosystems.
What can I do with an old wetsuit instead of throwing it away?
Several options exist beyond the bin. Pass it down to a younger child if it's still functional. Look for wetsuit recycling programs that repurpose old neoprene into products like yoga mats or drink coolers. Some surf shops and environmental organisations run collection drives. And if a wetsuit just needs a repair rather than replacement, many brands — including AVALY — offer repair services to extend its useful life.
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