Recycled Neoprene: What the Public Thinks vs. What the Specialists Say

Posted by Alfiya Yermukasheva

Written by Shelley Kotze, Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Social Science Evaluation Lead (UKRI Circular Fashion), University of Plymouth

At the Future Fibres Network Townhall #2, we asked participants four of the same questions we had previously posed to a UK-wide survey of 1,000 people. The comparison is striking, although probably expected: while the general public remains cautious and primarily driven by cost and quality, the specialist audience reveals a far stronger orientation toward sustainability.

This contrast offers important insights for building the business case for a neoprene recycling plant in the UK.

1. How often do people seek recycled fashion?

• UK Survey: The majority of respondents admitted that they rarely seek out recycled fashion. Nearly half gave a response of 1–2 on a 5-point scale (where 1 = never, 5 = always).
• Townhall Audience: Responses skewed heavily towards “often” and “sometimes,” with a notable group even saying “always.”

Takeaway: Specialists are far more proactive in seeking recycled fashion, while the wider public needs much stronger nudges (awareness campaigns, availability in mainstream retail, affordability).

2. What factors matter most when buying fashion?

• UK Survey: Quality (4.14) and price (4.11) dominated. Environmental impact ranked low (2.74).
• Townhall Audience: Quality was still top (4.4), but environmental impact (3.9) was ranked almost equally with price (3.7) and style (3.8).

Takeaway: For the public, sustainability is a “nice-to-have.” For specialists, it is nearly as important as cost and aesthetics.

3. Intent to buy recycled wetsuit-based items                                                         

• UK Survey: Intent was moderate, with sportswear (3.29) leading slightly, followed by footwear (3.22), accessories (3.22), and outerwear (3.13).
• Townhall Audience: The picture was similar but with slightly higher enthusiasm: exercise equipment (3.8) and outerwear (3.5) scored highest.

Takeaway: Both groups show cautious willingness, but Townhall respondents are clearly more open to wetsuit-based recycled products.

4. Intent to buy recycled fashion items (general)

• UK Survey: Scores were clustered just above neutral, with accessories (3.23) and outerwear (3.19) leading. Sportswear lagged behind (2.97).
• Townhall Audience: A higher baseline of intent across all categories, particularly for outerwear (4.1) and footwear (3.8).

Takeaway: Again, the difference is not in the ordering of preferences, but in the strength of intent. Specialists show stronger readiness to embrace recycled fashion.

Why This Matters

These results highlight a critical perception gap:

• Public consumers remain guided by affordability and durability, with sustainability trailing as a secondary factor.
• Specialists integrate sustainability into their purchasing priorities almost on par with price and quality.

For a UK neoprene recycling plant, this means:

• Messaging and market development must target mainstream buyers by emphasising quality, price competitiveness, and style first.
• Specialist markets (watersports brands, eco-fashion innovators, environmentally conscious consumers) represent early adopters and could drive the initial uptake of recycled neoprene.

Final Reflection

The business case for a UK neoprene recycling plant will need to bridge these two worlds. Specialists are already primed for sustainable innovation, but the wider public will require a combination of price, quality assurance, and visibility before recycled neoprene becomes part of their everyday wardrobe.