The reasons behind using fiberglass for boat construction
Fiberglass is a great material to use when constructing a boat. Since 1942, when the first fiberglass/polyester boat was built by Ray Greene of Toledo, Ohio, it has proven to be an ideal material thanks to its strength and durability. It is considered the most reliable construction material in that it doesn’t deteriorate over time and is able to withstand extreme temperatures. Fiberglass boats enjoy a long life on the water. A regular fiberglass boat, with proper handling, can last for 10 to 25 years. Some well-maintained boats can even last for 50 or more years. However, no matter how much care you put into it over the years, a boat won’t last forever. The time will come when a boat owner needs to decide how to best dispose of their boat.
The problem with landfills
For many years, landfills have been the go to place to dispose of a boat. These boats are crushed yet still take up valuable space. In addition, knowing that fiberglass is not biodegradable, the material will literally sit in the landfill for centuries. Thankfully, there are methods being developed to find solutions to this world-wide issue: the need to properly and safely dispose of boats through recycling of this material.
Why it’s so important we find solutions to safely recycle fiberglass and keep it out of landfills
With limited ways to dispose of fiberglass, it is considered an environmental nightmare. Fiberglass not only withstands high temperatures, it is impervious to practically every weather condition. Fiberglass can also be a health issue. The fabrication process contains pollutants, such as styrene, solvents, and paints, which are known to cause respiratory complications. Recently, there has been an increase in organizations focused on reducing fiberglass boat pollution. These organizations often work with local governments, environmental groups, and the boating industry to promote sustainable practices for boat disposal.
The Rhode Island Marine Trade Association
RIMTA (Rhode Island Marine Trade Association) is one such organization that has developed a program to help combat this issue by creating sustainable alternatives to filling up landfills and reducing our dependency on them. Through the Rhode Island Fiberglass Vessel Recycling Pilot Project (RIFVR), they’ve developed a method that reduces the fiberglass material to a dust by incinerating it at a very high temperature. This dust is then used in concrete for the concrete industry. The concrete with recycled boat materials in it show no difference when compared to concrete without boat materials mixed in. Both industries benefit from this process.
Where do we go from here?
The recreational boating industry has been booming for decades, and we are now seeing many boats that have reached their end-of-life. Alongside organizations such as RIMTA, companies world-wide are employing methods to safely and effectively recycle boats, and these efforts are having a positive impact on the environment. It’s important to take the time to learn more about how you can dispose of and recycle your fiberglass boat. At Salvage Marine Network, we support the RIFVR project and its network of collaborators as a critical material collection partner. Contact us with any questions.
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