A recycling pilot in Rhode Island, USA, has demonstrated the use of fibreglass from end-of-life boats in cement production as an alternative to landfill disposal.
The programme, led by the Rhode Island Marine Trade Association (RIMTA), processed derelict and abandoned fibreglass vessels by shredding their hulls before sending the material to a cement producer for co-processing.
According to a RIMTA Foundation report, the pilot recycled around 80 short tons (72.6t) of fibreglass. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) separately reported that nearly 20t of fibreglass was recycled in New England during the project period.
In cement production, shredded fibreglass can contribute both thermal energy and mineral content, partly substituting conventional fuels and raw materials.
The project received a US$105,000 NOAA grant to assess whether the model could be expanded beyond Rhode Island. Interest was subsequently reported from several US states, including Maryland, Virginia, California, Washington, Massachusetts and Maine.
NOAA estimates that around 200,000 recreational boats reach the end of their usable life in the US each year. However, the Rhode Island programme was paused after grant funding ended, with further expansion dependent on securing new funding and industry partnerships.
