A Sustainable Approach
Dive Steel's primary goal is sustainability, of both the planet and the creatures that live on it, including us humans. While our dive weight choices will not single-handedly save the world, we believe that a mindful approach to sustainability can have a profound impact. In this way, each Dive Steel weight is a small expression of this intention toward nurturing a better world for us all.
Our mission is to transform the diving industry by addressing a critical yet often overlooked environmental and health concern: the use of lead weights in diving.
Understanding Lead Exposure
Lead weights affect three key groups:
- Divers: Direct contact during handling and equipment contamination
- Dive Operators: Daily exposure through handling and maintenance
- Marine Environments: Ongoing contamination through corrosion and loss
Below I describe more detail of the impact on each of these groups.
Diver
The person wearing the dive weight is exposed to the lead everytime they handle the weight. While many people don't own their own weights, they do have exposure when they adjust the weights. Furthermore, the lead particles then embed themselves on all of the diver's equipment including their wetsuit and BCD. Although the diver can't see the lead, they will continue to be exposed to the lead every time they handle that equipment.
The situation is worse if the diver is in warm water and does not need a wet suit. In this case the lead is worn directly next to the skin.
While coated weights can reduce the lead exposure, coating the weights poses two additional problems. First, the coating on weights often cracks with time allowing the lead to corrode and leach out. The diver may be lulled into complacency by this coating, thinking that they are safe if the lead is coated, even if there are cracks present.
A second problem with coated weights is life cycle. The coatings on lead weights are often made of PVC–a material with its own environmental hazards. At the end of the weight's life, the coated weight is much harder to recycle as it requires either manually cutting the PVC off, or burning the PVC off. Both processes pose high exposure risks.
Dive Operators
Dive Operators often provide weights for their clients. As a result, a single dive operator may handle hundreds of dive weights in varying states of corrosion each day. Furthermore, the dive operator often rinses off the weights after their use. A majority of the time, the dive operator has little training in handling hazardous materials and uses little to no personal protective equipment. As a result, lead dive weights represent a large and modifiable occupational risk.
Environment
Divers explore some of the most amazing and sensitive environments on the planet. However by bringing lead into these environments, they are providing a steady stream of heavy metal contamination along with them.
Lead is particularly problematic in sea water as lead reacts with chloride to form lead chloride. If you have ever used lead shot as a dive weight, you have seen the milky fluid that comes off the weight after it has been in water. This milky fluid is suspended lead chloride. When released into the water it will slowly dissolve and enter into the food chain of the local environment.
One might argue that the amount of lead divers bring is nothing compared to the whole ocean, this is incorrect. Divers are very concentrated in a few biologically interesting locations. When they dive in these locations they rain down lead chloride particles. Lead chloride is dense, so it sinks into the sand to form a slow but continual release of lead into those local waters. This release would be highest right at the sand and coral level.
The situation is worse if a whole lead weight needs to be dropped for ballast. In this case, the lead ingot will fall to the sand and be slowly corroded and ground away by wave action, much like a toxic form of sea glass.
Sustainable Alternative: 316 Stainless Steel
After extensive research and testing, we chose 316 stainless steel for our weights because it provides:
- Zero toxic exposure for divers and operators
- Minimal environmental impact in marine environments
- Superior long-term durability in saltwater conditions
- Complete recyclability at end of life
- Corrosion resistance specifically designed for marine use
Trade-in Program: A Global Solution
To address the challenge of transitioning away from lead weights, we've developed a trade-in program that benefits both dive operators and the environment.
How It Works
- Purchase: Diver obtains a Dive Steel weight
- Travel: Diver brings their weights to their dive destination
- Trade: Diver uses their personal weights while diving and then trades their stainless steel weights for the operator's lead weights.
- Return: Diver returns home with the lead weights
- Recycle: Lead weights are properly recycled at local facilities
Program Benefits
- Sustainable transition from lead to stainless steel weights
- Economic support for dive operators through gradual replacement
- Guaranteed proper recycling of lead weights
- Creation of a global network of environmentally conscious divers
- Trackable positive environmental impact
The durability of Dive Steel weights ensures long-term value for dive operators. Divers can either reuse their weights for future trips or continue participating in the trade-in program to expand its impact.
Through this collaborative approach, we're creating a lasting positive change in the diving industry while protecting marine environments and human health.
Join the Movement
Ready to make a difference? Here's how you can contribute to sustainable diving:
- Switch to Dive Steel weights for your next dive trip
- Share this initiative with your local dive community
- Participate in our trade-in program
- Track your impact through the Sea Bottle Network