Sustainability

Our Commitment to Ocean Sustainability

At Circle One, the ocean is not just at the heart of our business—it’s the reason we exist. That’s why we’re committed to protect and preserve it for future generations, and for all of us who enjoy its beauty today. We believe that sustainability isn’t just a responsibility, it’s an obligation we all share.

Thoughtfully Designed, Built to Last

Every Circle One product is crafted with longevity in mind. From our surfboards to our wetsuits, we prioritize quality so that our customers can enjoy them for as long as possible. By creating products that last, we actively reduce the waste that contributes to the growing environmental crisis. We believe in countering the “buy, use, discard” cycle that too often defines modern consumerism.  Our surfboards are hand-finished with a blend of cutting-edge technology and a passion for craftsmanship. Each piece reflects our commitment to reducing environmental impact by making products that stand the test of time.

Sustainable Materials, Greener Choices

We choose sustainable materials to minimise our footprint. Our wetsuits are made with limestone neoprene, a more eco-friendly alternative to petrochemical-based neoprene. It’s less toxic, more durable, and designed to last longer, keeping your wetsuit out of the landfill for as long as possible.

We also use water-based glues in our wetsuits. These eliminate the harmful solvents and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by traditional adhesives, reducing air and water pollution.

Our neoprene production features carbon black sourced from recycled tires, turning what would have been waste into a valuable resource. This process conserves energy and reduces CO2 emissions, making our products more sustainable from the start.

Minimizing Waste in Production

We’re committed to reducing water usage and pollution through our production methods. One way we do this is through dope-dyeing, a process that integrates colour directly into the nylon fibres during the earliest stages of production. This method drastically reduces water consumption and prevents harmful dye runoff from entering our oceans.

Wetsuit Repair: Keeping Gear Out of Landfill

We’ve been making surfboards and wetsuits since the 1960s and we still operate from our original site in Crediton, Devon. Our expertise in wetsuit making allows us to offer wetsuit repairs, extending the life of your gear and keeping more neoprene out of landfills. We even reuse neoprene from old wetsuits for patching and repairs.

Wetsuit Recycling Programme

Circle One were one of the first UK surf companies to champion the reuse and repurposing of end-of-life wetsuits.  In 2020 we partnered with Barefoot.Tech, a recycling company in Wales, who transform old wetsuits into unique, upcycled products (bum bags, pencil cases etc).  So far we have repurposed 1000s of wetsuits and have ambitions to scale our recycling programme from 2025 onwards (watch this space).

You can send us your end-of-life wetsuit (any brand) to the address below and we’ll ensure it gets a second life.

Recycling Dept
Circle One Surfboards
Marsh Lane, Lords Meadow Industrial Estate
Crediton, Devon
EX17 1ES

We also have an established wetsuit recycling drop-off point in North Devon located outside the Board Barn shop in Braunton (The Board Barn 8-10, Caen Field Shopping Centre Braunton Devon, EX33 1EE) and have plans to roll-out more recycling drop-off points in 2025 onwards.

Reducing Plastic Pollution

The growing threat of plastic pollution is impossible to ignore. We’ve taken significant steps to eliminate plastic from our packaging, using cardboard for all our accessories, introducing compostable bags for our wetsuits and reducing bubble-wrap on our surfboards.

Protecting Our Ocean Communities

We believe in being part of a collective movement for change. That’s why we are proud partners of the Surfers Against Sewage Ocean Network, actively working to safeguard the UK’s coastal environment.

If you have questions about any aspect of our operations or just want to know more about our sustainability ambitions, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01363 773005 or email sales@circle-one.co.uk.