28th October 2026
The Wave Project’s Pre-loved Wetsuit Scheme wins award as 27 tonnes of neoprene are diverted from the waste stream in Cornwall
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, making surfing more accessible in collaboration with SUEZ and Cornwall Council.
Give a wetsuit a new owner and it could help someone get into the ocean, maybe for the very first time.
Since its launch in 2024, The Wave Project’s Pre-loved Wetsuit Scheme has given usable wetsuits a second life through Cornwall Council’s Household Waste and Recycling Centre network. Collected, sorted and resold through The Wave Project’s shop in Newquay, wetsuits are available from just £10, helping more people get into the water without the cost of new equipment.
Every purchase also transforms young lives. At a time when 1 in 5 children and young people are facing mental health challenges, all profits from the scheme support The Wave Project’s charitable work, helping young people across the UK access Surf Therapy. The charity uses surfing and the supportive environment of their community to help young people build confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging.
The award celebrates the partnership behind the scheme, bringing together reuse and community benefit in a way that shows how a more circular approach can make a difference to both people and the planet.
Ed Connors, Retail Operations Manager at The Wave Project comments: “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.”
YOU can make a difference by donating useable wetsuits and surfboards to The Wave Project in Newquay this October half-term. Browse their range or pre-loved items, pick up affordable surf gear or drop off equipment that is ready for a new home: Cornwall Pre-Loved Wetsuits to Support Surf Therapy
This project has been made possible thanks to £116,000 from UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is delivered locally by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, £22,500 from SUEZ and £7,500 from The Wave Project.
