“The very sport which gives us the deepest connection to nature is dependent on neoprene to keep us warm year round. Neoprene doesn’t biodegrade and is derived from petroleum or limestone (both non-renewable resources)” - Shred Neoprene Founder - Karen Hendry

Have you ever wondered where your wetsuits end up when they’re tossed? Yep, you guessed it - oceans and landfills! In an attempt to find a more local solution for Surfrider’s Wetsuit Reincarnation Program, which previously involved shipping wetsuits to California to be upcycled into amazing yoga mats, Surfrider volunteer, Karen Hendry, began researching potential local partners to collaborate with to upcycle everyone’s favorite surfwear material, neoprene.

Shred Neoprene was then born. Shred has collected over 1000lb of neoprene from local surf shops in Tofino and Ucluelet! How incredible is that?

Hendry is focused on creating a local closed loop operation, to ensure that minimal neoprene waste is created. Simply put, in a closed loop system, waste is eliminated by repurposing a product at its end-of-life. Shred has already formed key local partnerships to assist in giving new life to your worn wetsuits.

Far West Distribution has been a long-standing supporter of Surfrider’s Wetsuit Reincarnation Program, and continues to provide storage and transportation to Nanimo for the worn wetsuits. Mattress Recycling in Hope, BC cuts the wetsuits, removes all metal bits using magnets and grinds the neoprene into a fluffy base material which can then be mixed and compressed to form upcycled products.

Shred is currently working on developing their first circular product, an interlocking puzzle mat! The idea is that once the mat is worn down, it can be ground and upcycled into new products again and again.

Wetsuits are dropped off for recycling for many reasons and if Hendry feels the suit has more life in it, she will resell for a minimum donation through Instagram or Surf Sister. Shred recently received an incredible $5000 donation from the Wickaninnish Inn to support their initiative.

As a social enterprise, Shred reinvests all donations and profits back into the business to continue driving positive environmental change through developing their closed loop model for wetsuits. Zippers and other metal bits are either repurposed by local brands or recycled. All unusable zippers will be included in the steel recycling or are recycled through Terracycle’s Zero Waste Box program (a program offering solutions for difficult-to-recycle items).

In addition, Shred facilitates the recycling for worn rash guards from the local surf schools which are shredded and used as an alternate kiln fuel for cement production. By substituting coal with an environmentally friendlier fuel, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced and more rashies are being diverted from our oceans and landfills. 

Shred is working on expanding their wetsuit collection to mainland Vancouver through the Jericho Sailing Club. They hope to continue expanding operations to target water sport communities beyond surfing, such as the kiteboarding community in Squamish. In partnership with Surfrider Foundation Pacific Rim, Hendry is determined to educate the community on wetsuit circularity and to reduce waste from water sports across BC. She hopes that through this initiative, wetsuit brands are encouraged to take more responsibility for the end-of-life of their products and offer support and sponsorship to help expand Shred’s operations.

You can drop off your worn wetsuits at Surf Sister (Tofino, BC), Pacific Surf School (Tofino, BC), or Relic Surf Shop (Ucluelet). To submit a request to become a drop-off location, please visit the website at https://www.shredneoprene.ca/drop-off-locations.  Please note that wetsuit collection is currently on hold for the winter and will start up again in the early spring!

Follow along on Instagram @shred.neoprene to stay updated. Consider making a financial contribution at https://www.shredneoprene.ca/support-1 to help ensure that wetsuits are kept out of our oceans and landfills! On average, one adult wetsuit costs $10 to recycle. If you would like to collaborate or have any suggestions for upcycling neoprene, contact karen@shredneoprene.ca.

If you’re in need of some inspiration for starting your own sustainable business or community initiative, here’s a message for you from Shred Neoprene Founder, Karen Hendry:

“The process can be slow but It’s important to keep the momentum going and to not get discouraged from any setbacks. Networking and asking for help is super important in helping to direct you!”