Environmentally Conscious Bathing suits: Fourth Element

14 Jul 2020No Comments

Swimsuits have been undergoing modifications since they were first used in 1820. These suits, exclusive to boys, were simple shorts without elastic.  Women’s bath dresses were made of wool and when wet, weighed more than 3 kilos.

At the beginning of the 20th century, knee-high trousers and short-sleeved shirts for men were devised. A few years later, women were able to wear their swimsuits composed of flannel trousers and dresses. Before 1930 they were all made of cotton, but after that year, stretched meshes were invented and, thus, they were used to shape the bathing suits that we use today.

From wool bathing suit dress to the bikini

For 1946 the 2-piece swim dress was invented, but no woman dared to use it because the mentality of that time was too moralistic. Such was the reaction it caused in people that it was called a bikini referring to the nuclear tests that were carried out at the time. This costume was considered so immoral that it was not popular until 1957. In the 1960s lycra was invented and the topless dress was created in California.  Thanks to this material the first elastic swimsuits and bikinis were invented.  In the 1970s, the Brazilian thong was designed.

Olympic swimsuits

There are other types of swimsuits, the so-called Olympics, used for swimming as a sport. While also at first, they were made of cotton, this material was discarded for being so heavy, and evolved into one that was more aerodynamic and resistant.

There are several materials used in swimsuits, for example, thermoplastic polymer, elastic fiber, polyester, nylon, polyamide, and microfiber. Each has its characteristics and advantages such as quick drying, water repellant, resistant fiber, among others.

Although beautiful swim dresses of a thousand styles and shapes have been created, they have all been produced with man-made materials.

Parallel to the advancement in the creation of such a comfortable garment, we must observe a reality: Many swimming suits that are being produced end up as rubbish!

Humans consume nearly a million plastic bottles per minute worldwide. A lot of this garbage is not handled responsibly. Recycling is an excellent solution to this problem, as single-use plastic is inconceivable, but we need to look for better options, since garbage will sooner or later come to contaminate to the ocean.

Every year about 8 million tons of rubbish enter the sea and we are increasingly threatening the marine life.

An example of a plastic that contaminates the ocean is the fishing net. This takes too long to degrade. A net can be entangled in reefs, and in addition, as it is not visible during the day in the open sea, animals such as dolphins, turtles and other creatures can easily get caught in it.

Wear a beautiful swim dress and help the planet

A few years ago a new planet-friendly option emerged: The Fourth Element swimsuit brand. They based their company philosophy on the mentality called “Positive Ocean”, which believe in reusing waste products and avoids the creation of more garbage. This mentality is applied from production to packaging. In addition, they are always looking to improve, so they make the less possible impact on the environment.

Fourth Element products were created from fishing nets that have been confiscated by the authorities and other waste products, such as coffee. It is estimated that there may be about 600,000 tons of fishing nets per year. All this rubbish has been converted into ECONYL@, material used for swimming suits and protective lycras.

The ECOLYNIL@ is made of 78% nylon and other post-consumption waste. Sunscreens are proven to have many contaminants that are killing coral. That is why Fourth Element lycra and swim dresses provide protection from organic UPF50+.

Other environmentally friendly Fourth Element garments

In addition, Fourth Element has created other environmentally friendly products, among which we mention the following:

• Vests and leotards for extreme cold, are made of recycled waste after consumption, including plastic bottles.
• Wets suits: Tires that have served their useful life are used as raw material. They are combined with neoprene chips which are made of limestone instead of traditional oil-based neoprene.
• Shoes: Its outer part is made of tree rubber and the interior of recycled polyester. In each pair of shoes there are at least 6 plastic bottles.

Since 2019 Fourth Element has been producing its products with certified organic cotton and print them with water-based inks. This cotton is grown without chemical pesticides so that the wastewater is not contaminated. Water-based inks are also free of harmful and toxic chemicals.

In addition, the packaging for both import and final sale to the customer is made without plastic.  It is shipped and delivered on recycled paper.

Mundo Acuático offers environmentally friendly swimming and diving products

In general, we can conclude that this new option saves huge amounts of raw materials, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes wastewater and air emissions during production, as well as not providing any plastic to the environment.

Find Fourth Element products in our premises located in San Pedro de Montes de Oca, from the Más x Menos 50 meters to the north.  Or write us by whatsapp at   (506) 8337-8736

If you are interested in other topics related to the use of organic products and environmental awareness we recommend reading: https://mundoacuatico.cr/en/blogs/diving-green/