We have joined Decathlons’s exciting new project to cut down on plastic waste.
We’re thrilled to announce the latest initiative protect to help save our oceans, in collaboration with Decathlon and PADI. We will be collecting and helping to recycle your old fins. The renowned sports and outdoor equipment retailer Decathlon has a strong history of prioritizing sustainability in their production and recycling practices. As a company that operates globally, they’ve dedicated significant resources to reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly solutions in the outdoor and adventure sports industries.
SEE THEIR VIDEO TO ADVERTISE THE PROJECT RIGHT HERE
This year, Decathlon is going even further to make a positive impact on the ocean environment by partnering with PADI to launch a global recycling initiative specifically for used diving fins. The goal is simple: reduce waste and repurpose materials that would otherwise end up polluting our planet. Through this project, Decathlon and PADI are setting up collection points at select dive centers—including our own here in Gran Canaria—where divers can return their old fins for recycling.
Plastic waste is the enemy of divers and we need real world solutions fast!
Plastic waste is one of the most significant challenges facing our oceans today. Every year, millions of tons of plastic end up in the sea, endangering marine life, threatening delicate ecosystems, and even affecting the health of coastal communities. Items like single-use plastics and improperly discarded gear—such as old diving equipment—are contributing to this growing issue, which is why innovative recycling efforts are more important than ever.
In an effort to tackle this problem head-on, Decathlon and PADI are taking meaningful steps with their new initiative to recycle used diving fins. These fins, when left to waste, break down into microplastics that can be ingested by marine animals, entering the food chain and creating long-lasting environmental impacts. By giving divers a responsible way to retire their fins, we’re helping reduce the plastic footprint and protect our oceanic environments.
With this project, you have an opportunity to support a healthier, cleaner ocean by recycling your old fins with us. Together, we’re taking a step toward a future where ocean waste is reduced and replaced by sustainable practices that help preserve the incredible underwater world we love to explore.
What does Decathlon have to say | Here is how the project works in their own words.
The Decathlon Subea & PADI fins recycling program will be launched in Spain and Italy in 2024. Our goal is to deploy fin collection internationally and make the act of recycling accessible to divers and ocean lovers.
In the past, the production of new products was based on a linear system: we take a raw material and transform it into a product. We use it, then one day it ends up as waste: it's linear. We are now collecting end-of-life products to limit the exploitation of new resources and reuse existing materials. In this way, we want to create a circular loop.
No favoritism : we take all your old fins! The type or the brand doesn't matter. A triage process will allow us to keep only the eligible fins. Eventually, all products will be recycled. Once we will have completed the full loop on fins, we would like to collect your old wetsuits, masks and snorkels.
Our goal is to transform fins at the end of their life cycle to generate the component of tomorrow! In 2022, we operated our first recycling loop on a sample of products. Thanks to this test, we were able to experience the steps of a closed loop. Now we want to bring this recycling to an industrial scale at DECATHLON.
Your old fins will become a new recycled plastic component: The crushed and cleaned fins will become a plastic deposit. After sorting, this crushed material will be melted and mixed with other sources to form a new plastic. Just as for our current ranges, these products will be tested and approved in order to guarantee the quality of use. A new life cycle can then begin !
Diving is one of the largest and fastest growing recreational activities in the world. The PADI global network includes 128,000 dive professionals and 6,600 PADI Dive Operators in almost every corner of the globe, who issue over one million certifications each year. PADI are committed to building the most sustainable dive industry possible by creating solution-based initiatives with lasting impact.
PADI and DECATHLON | Subea have joined forces to offer divers, and the water sports enthusiasts, the opportunity to recycle end of life equipment and ensure its reusability through sustainable collection and circular flow systems. By uniting our extensive communities of passionate ocean adventurers, we can work together to reduce the global environmental footprint of the dive industry and protect the ocean on which all life depends.
How Does GO DIVING Center fit in?
As part of the new Decathlon and PADI fin recycling initiative, we are very excited to be a designated drop-off location in Gran Canaria! If you have old or broken fins, simply bring them to us, and we’ll handle the rest—from collection to transport to Decathlon for recycling.
“We scuba divers have a stake in the health of the ocean and a part to play, so get involved today”.
To make it easy, Decathlon will feature our dive center on their website, complete with a map showing our location among partner drop-off sites. This way, divers from all over can find us quickly and take part in this impactful effort to cut down on ocean waste.
We’re honored to participate in this initiative, and with the support of our diving community, we’re taking meaningful steps to protect and preserve our oceans. Join us in making a difference, one fin at a time!. And don't forget we can help you with replacing your old fins with nice new ones as well.
Find out more here at the project link
Or head to Decathlon’s website in the link below to
To read more or see their range of projects and products.
Thanks for joining us
GO DIVING Center Gran Canaria
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