In May 2021, in partnership with global recycling leader TerraCycle, Rip Curl announced the launch of a Wetsuit Take Back Recycling Program across Australia.
Now surfers across the country can recycle any surf branded wetsuit at participating Rip Curl stores.
All recycled rubber will now be repurposed for use in the safety attenuation layer of soft fall matting used at playgrounds and outdoor gyms.
“One of our core values at Rip Curl is Community and Environment, and with this in mind we have spent years developing the most effective and environmentally conscious solution for wetsuit recycling available in Australia today,” says Shasta O’Loughlin, Rip Curl’s environmental, social and governance manager.
“TerraCycle has a huge network and were able to assist us in finding the best possible solution for recycling used wetsuit neoprene.
“We are really excited about this partnership, and the reach that it can provide across Australia.
“We are also close to a global expansion. We want to give all surfers the opportunity to recycle their old wetsuits.”
The select Rip Curl stores will accept any surf branded wetsuit, not including booties, gloves, hoods or heavy diving dry suits.
Customers can drop off their used wetsuits in store at no cost. If proximity is an issue, the selected stores are also accepting wetsuits via post.
“Rip Curl create products for surfers, by surfers, and we want to extend the life of those products and repurpose them into a second commodity.”
TerraCycle is available at Rip Curl Noosaville.
