A plan to develop the UK’s first wetsuit recycling facility is among eight new projects funded by a sustainable fashion research network.

Future Fibres Network Plus aims to bring environmental science into the heart of the UK fashion, clothing and textile sectors. It is led by the University of Exeter, collaborating with the universities of Leeds, Huddersfield and Plymouth, University of the Arts London, and the UK Fashion and Textile Association.

Many wetsuits are made from a synthetic rubber called neoprene – but the UK currently has no way of recycling them, meaning more than 380 tonnes are burned or landfilled each year.

The neoprene recycling project is one of the eight mini projects funded by the network. Led by the University of Plymouth and working with industry partner Circular Flow, it will examine the scope for developing a UK neoprene recycling facility to help make the surfing and diving industry more circular or sustainable.

Circular Flow already has a facility in Bulgaria, but establishing one in the UK – home to some of the world’s most popular surfing locations – would be a significant development.

Emma Major-Mudge, head of commercial partnerships at Circular Flow, said: “Many of those who buy and wear wetsuits have a genuine interest in the environment, and therefore in the sustainability of these products.

"However, wetsuits are one of the hardest products to recycle and the possibility of opening a recycling facility in the UK is very exciting.”

Dr Kayleigh Wyles, associate professor in environmental psychology at the University of Plymouth and project lead, added: “Our project will investigate the level of interest among UK businesses for returning end-of-life wetsuits and accessories to a UK facility where they can be turned into new and useful products.

“We also aim to understand consumers’ willingness to purchase and wear recycled neoprene products, and explore the logistics of developing a recycling facility.”

If the findings suggest there is sufficient support for a neoprene recycling facility, the team will develop an investment pack to share with funders to help build it.

Through its flexible fund, Future Fibres Network Plus is investing a total of £1 million in the eight projects. They include:

Coloration in Flow - dyeing fabric has a high impact on the environment, both in terms of water, energy and materials. This project will investigate the possibility of reducing impact by dyeing fibres during wet-spinning -spinning fibres into yarns while they are in a liquid state - as opposed to more traditional methods.

FABRIOTIC - Sports clothes are typically discarded prematurely because they develop a bad smell known as “permastink”. FABRIOTIC will pilot clothing containing bacteria spores that could prevent permastink, giving athletic clothes a longer lifespan.

All Cellulose Composite - Using fibres made from pineapple, this project aims to broaden the use of natural fibres.