Néo: an asset for Vanlife and Mountain Expeditions

A few months ago, we gave birth to a new practical and ecological product: Néo , a 5-in-1 multi-purpose , biodegradable and compact. Its design was born from the awareness of a very real and worrying problem that is rife in the high mountains: the difficult management of wastewater in high-altitude refuges . This observation, although often overlooked, is one of the driving forces that pushed us to create this innovative product.

In a few numbers

Each year, mountain huts in France are the destination of an average of 380,000 overnight stays , according to data from the FFCAM (French Federation of Alpine and Mountain Clubs) . This figure, which is constantly evolving, is evidence of the growing appeal of the French mountains for enthusiasts and novices alike.

In 2020, there was a remarkable 16% increase in the number of hikers compared to previous years, according to the FFRP (French Hiking Federation) This increase can be attributed to an increased desire to enjoy the great outdoors and nature, as well as an awareness of the importance of the mountains for our well-being, especially in difficult times.

The figures speak for themselves: an alarming concern emerges when we note that: 

This practice, which compromises the purity of mountain ecosystems, calls for urgent awareness. 

Vanlife is also affected

Another booming lifestyle, vanlife, is also not immune to this growing waste management problem. In France, demand for van rentals has exploded, recording a spectacular increase of 200% between 2018 and 2019. This trend reflects the growing attraction for the freedom that nomadic life provides aboard converted vehicles.

We interviewed vanlife enthusiasts and regulars to ask them about their habits and behaviors during their travels.

This practice poses a real challenge in terms of preserving natural spaces, because it can lead to water and soil pollution if the products used are not biodegradable*.

*namely, no cosmetic product on the market today is 100% biodegradable in aquatic environments. The ideal is to wash at least 50 meters from a watercourse (rivers, lake, sea, etc.) to avoid any disturbance to this environment. However, using a biodegradable product significantly limits your impact on the environment.

Why Neo?