Newquay’s £10 wetsuits win award after 27 tonnes saved from waste

Somewhere on a rail in Newquay there’s a wetsuit that used to belong to someone else. It might have been dropped at a tip. For £10, it could now be the thing that gets someone into the sea for the very first time.

That idea has just picked up an award. And the numbers behind it are bigger than you might expect.

27 tonnes and counting

The Wave Project‘s Pre-loved Wetsuit Scheme has won Best Partnership at the LARAC Awards, after diverting 27 tonnes of neoprene from the waste stream.

The scheme is run in collaboration with SUEZ and Cornwall Council, and the award recognises that partnership, bringing reuse and community benefit together in a way that shows how a more circular approach can make a difference to both people and the planet.

Wetsuits from £10

Since it launched in 2024, the scheme has given usable wetsuits a second life through Cornwall Council’s Household Waste and Recycling Centre network.

Wetsuits are collected, sorted and then resold through The Wave Project’s shop in Newquay, with prices starting at just £10. The aim is simple. More people in the water, without the cost of buying new equipment.

Where the money goes

Every purchase also helps fund the charity’s work. All profits from the scheme support The Wave Project’s charitable work, helping young people across the UK access Surf Therapy.

The charity says 1 in 5 children and young people are facing mental health challenges. It uses surfing, and the supportive environment of its community, to help young people build confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging.

What the partners said

Ed Connors, Retail Operations Manager at The Wave Project, said: “We’re really proud to see our Pre-loved Wetsuit Scheme recognised at the LARAC Awards. It’s a simple idea with a huge impact: every wetsuit that finds a new home helps reduce waste, makes surfing more affordable and, through the profits raised, supports our work of transforming young lives through Surf Therapy. Thank you to Cornwall Council and SUEZ for helping to make this possible.”

Rebecca Parry, Renew Manager at SUEZ, said: “We’re delighted to see the Pre-loved Wetsuit Scheme recognised at the LARAC Awards. By working together with The Wave Project and Cornwall Council, we’re giving wetsuits a new lease of life, keeping valuable materials out of the waste stream and creating a positive impact for the local community.”

Got an old wetsuit lying around?

The Wave Project is asking people to donate usable wetsuits and surfboards at its Newquay shop over the October half-term next week.

You can drop off kit that’s ready for a new home, or browse the shop’s pre-loved range and pick up affordable surf gear while you’re there. Details are on the charity’s pre-loved wetsuits page.

The project was made possible by £116,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (delivered locally by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme), along with £22,500 from SUEZ and £7,500 from The Wave Project itself.