TORBET ON THE TUBE
5 Ways to snorkel greener
Small gestures can wind up making a big difference , says Andy Torbet , as he sets out ways of treading lightly when we enter the water
As divers and snorkellers we have grown more aware of the impact of plastic , pollution , over-fishing and other damaging practices on the underwater world than most . And for far longer . So , what small steps can we consider to make our snorkelling a little bit greener ?
1 . Kit choices
This can be difficult when there ’ s so much to weigh up . Where the product is made ; how it ’ s transported and what it ’ s made from can all add to its negative impact on the environment . Increasingly , equipment is coming from more ethical sources as manufacturers chase the green dollar . Recycled plastics , recycled fishing nets and even plant based neoprene are now available .
2 . Lubes and laundry
How you get into your wetsuit and wash it out is also worth considering . For those of us who have unlined wetsuits ( called Open Cell ) you can only get these suits on with some kind of lubrication . The most commonly used option is shampoo or conditioner . However , these hair care products can wash out of your suit and potentially leach harmful chemicals into the food chain .
Instead , choose a biodegradable , environmentally friendly brand that ’ s ‘ Sea Safe ’. The exact same considerations can be applied to whatever you use to wash your kit . Even simple items such as towels can be upgraded . Micro-fibres from fabric in washing machines run into our rivers and seas and accumulate a huge amount of plastic pollution . Micro-fibre collection bags can be used to counter this . You stuff your washables into the bag and it filters out tiny microplastics that may be loose in the wash .
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