On World Ocean Day 2023, Zhik are delighted to announce that the 2023 Optimist World Championships in June will be hosting a wetsuit reZHIKle point.
The reZHIKle scheme launched by Zhik means that competitors, their families and local Spanish sailors can bring any brand of old wetsuit to the Worlds, hosted by Spain’s Club Vela Ballena Alegre on the Costa Brava from 15 to 25 June, to be recycled or upcycled.
The 2023 World Optimist Event Team approached Zhik to include a reZHIKle stand at the Championships, as part of the extensive sustainability education programme and initiatives planned for the event. Zhik are working with specialists in textile recovery and garment recycling, to ensure that as many wetsuits as possible get either re-used or re-purposed into new products such as playground safety matting and durable flooring.
Marc Graupera Alomà, Community Manager for Club Vela Ballena Alegre explains, “We are delighted to be working with Zhik as a CSR sustainability project partner for the Optimist Worlds. The reZHIKle wetsuit recycling project completely fits with our sustainability experience programme for our young sailors, and is an inspiring way to help educate and promote the importance of sustainability to them.”
Zhik is also using World Ocean Day to launch a video summarising some of the brand’s activities towards creating more sustainable manufacturing practices and products.
Following the removal of almost all single use plastics from product packaging six years ago, Zhik has subsequently launched the neoprene-free ECO wetsuit and top made from 59 plastic bottles, a new ECO Spandex range and the insulated Cell Jackets using recycled fabrics from Repreve. Zhik’s own proprietary XWR™ fluorocarbon-free (PFC-free) durable water repellent coating is used on many ranges including the Elite Sailing Shorts, Deck Pants and a variety of moisture wicking performance tops.
“It’s an ongoing process of R&D and extensive testing to find more sustainable and durable materials and manufacturing processes,” explains Drue Kerr, Zhik’s Head of Production and Design.“For example, this recently resulted in Zhik launching the Elite Polo Shirts that use e.dye® Waterless Color System™. It requires 85% less water, 90% less harmful chemicals and attains 12% less CO₂ emissions, so altogether it’s a more sustainable crew shirt!”
To prolong garment life and reduce the need for replacements, Zhik continues to expand it’s network of Repair Partners around the globe.
Any organisations or events interested in hosting a reZHIKle point or becoming a Repair Partner should contact sales@zhik.com the first instance.
