11th Hour Racing Issues Grant for Pilot Project on Fiberglass Boat Recycling

11th Hour Racing has issued a grant to the Rhode Island Fiberglass Vessel Recycling Project. The organization funds projects that focus on mobilizing the sailing and marine communities to create systemic change for the improved health of the ocean.

The pilot recycling project will develop new and environmentally sound methods for disposing of vessels by dismantling and re-processing their fiberglass hulls into alternative fuel and raw material for cement production. This would keep the materials out of landfills. The project involves developing partnerships with local, state and federal agencies to ensure the recycling meets health and safety requirements; an economic analysis to determine long-term feasibility; investigation of legislation and regulations to support fiberglass hull recycling; and documentation of lessons learned.

The project is a joint effort of Rhode Island Marine Trades Association and Rhode Island Sea Grant and modeled after successful approaches taken in Europe to reduce fiberglass boat waste.