Clean Sailors, the organisation behind the ReSail platform, has partnered with Circular Flow to develop solutions to reuse neoprene.
The collaboration expands ReSail’s global offering, enabling sailors to dispose their old wetsuits and neoprene gear in addition to end-of-life sails.
The organisations point out that no formal recycling infrastructure currently exists for complex sail textiles anywhere in the world.
The platform will connect sailors with businesses and organisations that can give these materials a second life.
Repurposing retired sails
Circular Flow develops solutions for the disposal of neoprene, a durable but difficult-to-recycle material widely used in watersports, while ReSail maps drop-off locations wehre retired sails can be repurposed.
The new partnership will provide users of ReSail with access to a growing global network of wetsuit and neoprene collection points powered by Circular Flow.
And the organisations point out that by integrating both sailcloth and neoprene recovery into a single, accessible platform, they are making it easier for the sailing and watersports community to reduce waste.
“This partnership is a natural evolution of what ReSail was built to achieve,” said Holly Manvell, founder of Clean Sailors.
“Sailors care deeply about the oceans they depend on, but too often lack practical options when it comes to disposing of materials like sails and wetsuits.”
Sailors care deeply about the oceans they depend on, but too often lack practical options when it comes to disposing of materials like sails and wetsuits.
Holly Manvell
She added: “By teaming up with our friends at Circular Flow, we’re removing those barriers, making it easier to find information thereby empowering watersporters to make more sustainable choices.
Circular Flow estimates that around 18,000 tonnes of neoprene enters landfill globally.
The team is working with both wetsuit manufacturers and major watersport industry players to address the issue.
“Neoprene waste is a growing global issue, and collaboration is key to solving it,” explained Circular Flow’s Peter Palmer.
“Partnering with Clean Sailors allows us to reach a highly-engaged community that is already motivated to protect the ocean, providing a first-time solution for end-of-life neoprene.
“Together, we’re making circularity more accessible and actionable.”
