First ecommerce watersports retailer in Europe to offer service
LONDON, OCTOBER 10, 2022 — Wetsuit Outlet, Europe’s leading watersports specialist, today announced the launch of a closed-loop recycling programme for wetsuits, making it the first ecommerce watersports retailer in Europe to do so.
Wetsuit Outlet has partnered with Circular Flow, a leader in neoprene recycling and manufacturing to launch the service.
Launching in the UK first, and exclusive to members of their loyalty programme (WSO+Rewards), the initiative aims to reduce the 8,000 tons of neoprene – approximately one million wetsuits – that go to landfill each year and reuse the neoprene to create new products.
Neoprene is an exceptionally difficult material to recycle, and until now most waste material wound up in landfill, with no alternative available at scale. Until now.
Why is this scheme important?
Instead of going to landfill, neoprene products will be recycled and reused by Circular Flow, reducing carbon emissions and waste.
Previous smaller scale schemes have used recycled sheets in items such as yoga mats and playground safety mats. They aren’t always able to use 100% of the returned neoprene with the resulting products not always of sufficient material property for use in the harsh conditions of cold water.
The Circular Flow process allows neoprene to be recycled several times and, in working with Wetsuit Outlet, brings large scale circularity a step closer with a more sustainable and environmentally friendly process than other schemes previously available at scale.
Sean Hastings, CEO of Wetsuit Outlet and its parent, B2C Distribution group, commented:
“As Europe’s leading watersport specialist, sustainability is hugely important to us and our customers. Being one of the largest wetsuit retailers globally, we are delighted to work with Circular Flow to launch WSO+Recycle and help our customers do their bit to reduce neoprene waste.
Georgi Marinov, Founder and CEO of Circular Flow, commented:
“After six years of intensive research and overcoming many obstacles, I am delighted to be partnering with Wetsuit Outlet to kickstart neoprene recycling at scale. With our technology and Wetsuit Outlet’s expertise and scale, together we can make a real impact on reducing neoprene waste.”
Further information can be found at:
https://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/recycle.php
https://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/eco.php
About Wetsuit Outlet
Wetsuit Outlet is Europe’s leading watersport specialist, with a mission to get more on and in the water.
Founded in 2004, Wetsuit Outlet partners with over 100 top brands across surf, kayak, board sports and sailing where it is rated the No1 retailer on TrustPilot.
Wetsuit Outlet is part of the B2C Distribution group, an e-commerce specialist serving customers in 65 markets worldwide across watersports, equestrian and country sports.
About Circular Flow
Circular Flow’s mission is to build the sustainable global circular economy for neoprene waste and prevent the ecological disaster caused by the vast majority of neoprene going to landfill.
The technology and manufacturing process which makes this mission a reality was developed by Circular Flow’s founder, Georgi Marinov, who sought a way to repeatedly recycle wetsuits and neoprene products.
Today’s effective and sustainable solution to recycling neoprene is the result of six years development in partnership with The University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy in Bulgaria and funding from the Innovation Norway fund.
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Find more sustainability information and news here: https://www.greenlivingblog.org.uk/category/best-practices/.
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