Surfing gets sustainable with first recyclable wetsuit

Tom Kay, founder of sustainable outdoor wear brand Finisterre, tests the prototype, of what they believe is the world's first recyclable wetsuit, in Cornwall, Britain in this undated handout photo obtained by Reuters on September 17, 2019. Finisterre/Handout via REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) - Surf culture often prides itself on an affinity for nature. But there's a dirty secret hiding in many surfers' cupboards - old wetsuits.

A combination of salt water, UV rays and the wear-and-tear of life in the surf means most wetsuits only last a couple of years before they start to lose warmth and elasticity. Made from non-biodegradable rubber neoprene, surfers are often stuck with their old gear.