Automotive Recycling, Plastic Realism, and Cultural Leaps: In Conversation with José Caiado of Marlin Fins
Marlin Fins founder José Caiado discusses upcycling industrial plastics, global ocean cleanup mobilization, and moving past disposable consumer culture.
“Just as it is not possible to save turtles without preserving the oceans, it is also not possible to preserve the oceans without our consumerist and disposable mentality undergoing a profound recycling.” – José Caiado
Based in Portugal, José Caiado is the mind behind Marlin Fins – a brand taking high-performance engineering plastics from the automotive and machinery industries and upcycling them into durable surf fins. José brings a pragmatic, refreshingly direct perspective to environmentalism, challenging us to look beyond quick marketing buzzwords and confront our fundamental relationship with consumption.
We sat down with José to discuss industrial plastic upcycling, mobilizing global military-scale resources for ocean cleanups, and why plastic itself isn’t the enemy – our throwaway culture is.
Snapshot Profile
- Name: José Caiado
- Brand: Marlin Fins
- Role: Founder & Creator
- Specialism: Upcycling High-Tenacity Automotive & Machinery Engineering Plastics into Surf Fins
- Philosophy: “Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today” (Portuguese proverb)
The Interview
Why is conserving and protecting the oceans so fundamental to your work?
José: The importance of preserving the oceans as the origin of all life is abundantly clear. It is a huge task, but in my opinion, it will not be successful if we do not simultaneously create a fairer, more balanced, and sustainable society.
Just as it is impossible to save sea turtles without preserving the oceans, we cannot preserve the oceans without our consumerist and disposable mentality undergoing a profound recycling. I don’t advocate a return to living in caves, but rather a cultural and technological leap into the future.
How is Marlin Fins contributing to a cleaner ocean?
José: Marlin’s contribution is modest – we recycle defective high-rigidity parts from the automotive and machine construction industries that were originally designed to replace heavy metal components.
Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of degraded plastics floating in the ocean lack the structural properties required for manufacturing high-performance objects like fins. However, that ocean plastic remains excellent for other applications.
The main challenge is removing it from the water. Nations as a whole have more than enough capacity and means – including naval and military resources – to clean up the oceans. During COVID-19, humanity proved how fast it can mobilize against an imminent threat. The threat facing our oceans is a threat to ourselves, so what are we waiting for?
What does the surfing industry need to do differently?
José: The surf industry needs deep reflection. It currently operates like any other traditional industry – manufacturing in Asian countries using cheap labor and shipping products worldwide.
The most positive steps forward are coming from localized initiatives that leverage local knowledge, introduce new materials, and pioneer sustainable manufacturing processes. It is from these local initiatives that the true surf industry of the future will emerge.
José’s Inspiration & A Call for Plastic Realism
Revisiting History & Rethinking the “War on Plastic”
José: I recommend revisiting the life and work of Commander Jacques Cousteau, because today’s ecological messaging can sometimes become confused or overly rigid.
We focus so heavily on the material itself that we forget the good or bad use we make of it is our sole responsibility. The current ‘war on plastic’ can be misinformed. Plastic is a fantastic, lightweight, abundant material with unmatched application potential, and its recycling process requires far less energy compared to almost any other material in daily use.
Plastic is not to blame for our misuse, nor for the ‘disposable carousel’ our lives have become. We replace mobile phones, cars, and household appliances when they haven’t even reached 10% of their useful life. That is the mindset we must fix.
Final Thought
José: “Não deixes para amanhã o que podes fazer hoje – Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today.”
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