7 Steps to Recycle Old Scuba Gear Responsibly

Last Updated: October 31, 2026

Table of Contents

• Why Old Scuba Gear Is Hard to Recycle
• Step 1: Sort Your Gear by Material and Condition
• Step 2: Clean Scuba Gear Before Donating or Recycling
• Step 3: Decide Whether an Old Scuba Tank Is Safe to Reuse
  • How to Dispose of an Old Scuba Tank
• Step 4: Recycle an Old Wetsuit or Neoprene Gear
• Step 5: Find Where to Donate Used Scuba Gear
• Step 6: Find Local Recycling Facilities That Accept Dive Equipment
  • Gear-by-gear: what local facilities typically accept
  • The three calls to make, in order
  • What to have ready before you call
  • A note on "recycling" versus "parts recovery"
• Start Clearing Out Your Dive Bag This Week
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why Old Scuba Gear Is Hard to Recycle

Most divers assume they can simply recycle old scuba gear, starting with a regulator or wetsuit they no longer use, by putting it in the recycling bin. It usually can't. Dive gear mixes plastics, rubber, neoprene, metal, and electronics, and each material follows different rules.

A 2009 report from Undercurrent's review of dive equipment recycling concluded there was no simple way to recycle dive gear. Some equipment had options, but most did not.

That's the real challenge. Recycling dive gear takes a bit of work, but it's worth doing. The steps below show you how.

Step 1: Sort Your Gear by Material and Condition

Start by separating everything into piles. Keep it simple.

• Metal: tanks, regulator first stages, buckles
• Neoprene: wetsuits, hoods, gloves, boots
• Plastic and electronics: dive computers, lights, BCD hardware
• Gear to donate: anything still safe and working

Check each item honestly. If a piece is cracked, corroded, or no longer holds air, it belongs in the recycling pile, not the donation pile.

Step 2: Clean Scuba Gear Before Donating or Recycling

Rinse everything in fresh water first. Salt, sand, and algae cause corrosion and smell, and no one wants gear that stinks.

Soak regulators and BCDs in a mild cleaner, then let them dry fully in the shade. Never store gear damp, because mildew can ruin neoprene fast.

![A diver rinsing a wetsuit and regulator at an outdoor freshwater hose station beside a dive shop, sunlight on wet gear]

Step 3: Decide Whether an Old Scuba Tank Is Safe to Reuse

Tanks need the most caution. Check the stamped inspection date on the shoulder. A tank past its hydrostatic test date should not be filled or used.

If you're unsure, take it to a certified dive shop for an inspection before doing anything else.

How to Dispose of an Old Scuba Tank

Never throw a tank in the trash or leave it at the curb. Call a local dive shop or scrap metal recycler to ask whether they accept cylinders.

Before handing it over, have the valve removed by a qualified technician and confirm the cylinder is fully empty. Many recyclers will take the metal body even when the valve is separated.

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Step 4: Recycle an Old Wetsuit or Neoprene Gear

Neoprene doesn't go in regular curbside bins. Look for a textile or rubber recycling program, or ask your dive shop whether they run a collection drop-off.

Some programs turn old wetsuits into flooring, mats, or other rubber products. Check with the program first to confirm what they accept.

Step 5: Find Where to Donate Used Scuba Gear

Donation is often the best option for gear that still works. Scuba Crap accepts donated scuba gear in any condition, refurbishes what it can, and sells it to fund a scuba-related charity, according to Scuba Crap's donation page.

Many local dive clubs and nonprofits also accept used equipment for training programs.

Step 6: Find Local Recycling Facilities That Accept Dive Equipment

Most "recycling" advice for dive gear stops at "call your local shop." That is not a plan. The gap in most guides is a gear-by-gear view of what local facilities actually accept, plus the prep work that gets gear through the door. Use the directory below as a script for your calls.

Gear-by-gear: what local facilities typically accept

Gear item	Likely local option	Prep before drop-off
Aluminum or steel cylinder	Scrap-metal recycler, dive shop	Empty, valve removed by a technician
Regulator, first and second stage	Dive shop (parts), metal recycler	Rinse, dry, remove hoses if brittle
BCD	Dive shop (parts), textile recycler	Rinse, empty all pockets, cut off loose webbing
Wetsuit, hood, gloves, boots	Neoprene/textile recycler, dive shop drop-off	Rinse, dry fully, bag separately
Mask, fins	Dive shop (resale), rubber recycler	Rinse, check strap and skirt for cracks
Dive computer, light	E-waste recycler, dive shop	Remove batteries if user-serviceable
Weight belt and weights	Scrap-metal recycler, dive shop	Remove webbing, bag weights

This table is the part most guides skip. Print it, and use the "likely local option" column as your call list.

The three calls to make, in order

1. The dive shop. Ask whether they run a collection drop-off, take trade-ins, or know a local recycler who accepts cylinders. Shops often have a standing relationship with one scrap yard.
2. The scrap-metal recycler. Ask specifically about pressure vessels and neoprene. Many take aluminum and steel but not rubber.
3. Your municipal solid waste department. Ask about household hazardous waste days, pressure-vessel drop-off events, and textile recycling. This is the call most people skip, and it is often the one that finds a home for wetsuits.

What to have ready before you call

• The stamped test date and material of any cylinder (aluminum or steel).
• The approximate weight of your metal pile, recyclers price by weight.
• A photo of the gear, sent by text or email, so the facility can say yes or no before you drive.

Ask each facility one closing question: "If you can't take this, who in the area should I call?" That single question turns one call into a shortlist.

A note on "recycling" versus "parts recovery"

Some organizations dismantle gear to recover usable parts rather than shred it. The National Aquarium's guide to saving scuba gear from the scrap heap is a useful model for the questions to ask: which components are recovered, which are discarded, and whether the program accepts consumer drop-offs or only institutional donations. Ask local facilities the same questions so you know whether your gear will be reused or shredded.

Start Clearing Out Your Dive Bag This Week

Pick one item today. Sort it, clean it, and call one recycler or donation center. Small steps add up fast.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can scuba gear be recycled?

Some dive equipment can be recycled, but there is no single simple path for all of it. Recycling options for dive equipment vary by equipment type, and some items have no readily available recycling path. Mixed materials such as neoprene bonded to plastics or metal components make recycling harder. Contact local recyclers, manufacturers, and dive shops to confirm what they accept before you drop gear off.

How long will scuba gear last?

Scuba gear lifespan depends on the equipment type, how often it is used, and how well it is maintained. Neoprene wetsuits often lose flexibility and insulation with repeated use and sun exposure, while regulators and BCDs need regular servicing to stay reliable. Gear that shows cracks, stiffness, leaks, or corrosion should be evaluated by a qualified technician before any further use. Keeping gear rinsed and dried after each dive extends its service life.

Can old scuba gear be donated?

Yes. Some organizations accept donated scuba gear, and dive shops, local dive clubs, and youth programs may also accept usable equipment. Dive shops, local dive clubs, and youth programs may also accept usable equipment. Clean the gear, remove any personal items, and confirm the recipient's current donation requirements before shipping or dropping off.

What should you do with an unsafe scuba tank?

Do not fill or use a tank you suspect is unsafe. Take it to a certified dive shop or cylinder inspection service to have it evaluated, and ask whether it is testable or should be retired. Tanks that fail inspection are typically decommissioned by a qualified professional before metal recycling. Never attempt to open or cut a cylinder yourself without professional guidance.