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The Rhode Island Marine Trades Association Foundation worked to expand a successful vessel recycling program in Rhode Island.
Type of Project: Prevention
Region: Northeast
Project Dates: September 2020 - August 2021
Who was involved?
With the support of the NOAA Marine Debris Program, partners at the Rhode Island Marine Trade Association Foundation (RIMTA) expanded a pilot project to coordinate stakeholders in Washington, New England, and other interested locations to collect end-of-life vessels and prepare their materials for beneficial reuse. These efforts promoted the discussion on the feasibility of a national boat recycling program and enhanced the removal of derelict, abandoned, or storm-wrecked boats that pose threats to the marine environment.
What was the project and why is it important?
The National Marine Manufacturers Association estimated that between 2-3% of all recreational boats in the United States reach the end of their usable life each year—approximately 200,000 annually. An increase in the number of unusable fiberglass boats in U.S. coastal communities could potentially increase boat abandonment, dereliction, and mismanagement, as well as the number of boats that end up as marine debris. Hurricanes and natural disasters also contribute to marine debris by displacing or damaging boats, at times, to a degree beyond the owner’s ability to repair.. With few options for vessel disposal, these factors amplify the need for a sustainable method of managing boat materials and eliminating their risk of negatively impacting the marine environment.
When co-processed in a cement kiln, the fiberglass materials taken from end-of-life boats, provide both thermal energy and raw material replacement that reduce the environmental impacts of creating new cement products. Over a 12-month period, the Rhode Island Marine Trade Association Foundation Fiberglass Boat Recycling Program built out a sustainable financial model for fiberglass boat recycling and assisted additional interested locations in replicating boat recycling programs. Partners developed educational tools, and engaged regional and national marine industry organizations and businesses to promote awareness of and participation in the creation of a proactive long-term solution that prevents marine debris associated with fiberglass boats.
What were the results?
Several states engaged in the process of establishing a vessel recycling program, from gathering initial information to actively recycling fiberglass vessel hulls. These states include: Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, California, Washington, North Carolina, South Carolina, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island. This program helped prevent abandoned and derelict vessels by providing a pathway for disposing of end-of-life vessels. In New England, RIMTA successfully recycled nearly 20 metric tons of fiberglass. RIMTA also developed an End-of-Life Vessel Material Guide to address the most relevant questions and concerns shared by vessel owners, marine businesses, waste managers and material end-users.
For more information about this project, visit the Marine Debris Program Clearinghouse.