"Management, recycling and recovery of waste from the scrapping of pleasure crafts"

BOATCYCLE is a project of the European program LIFE+ framework, under the Environmental Policy and Governance 2008 line of action. It is to be implemented during the 2010-2012 period.

The project's main objective is to reduce the environmental impact of the nautical industry through the development of new treatment, management and recovery methods for end-of-life nautical boats. BOATCYCLE Project will also work on boat production and manufacturing processes based on a Life Cycle Assessment and Eco-design approach.

The demonstration character of the project is evidenced through the Technical Analysis and Pilot Experiences of fibreglass, wood, neoprene and PVC, which include a comparative evaluation analysis and a demonstration of innovative technologies to recycle four chosen wastes from boat scrapping processes. 

The development of a recycling and valorisation system as well as the consequent implementation of the best recycling and valorisation practices of the four chosen wastes is ensured in BOATCYCLE by the technical analysis carried out before each pilot experience. 

In order to develop a comprehensive guide for sustainable production/manufacturing and ecodesign for yachts, sailboats and inflatable boats, a Life Cycle Assessment on the manufacturing process of these types of boats will be carried out enabling, this way, the development of innovative eco-design approaches for boatyards. Wide dissemination will be carried out by the proper guide distribution, public presentations, on-line, press releases and online dissemination, among other actions.

The pilot experiences held concerning the four different wastes as well as the feasibility analysis of the different obtained prototypes will allow an optimal development of both policy and technical recommendations for boats’ waste management and valorisation.

Download of the LAYMAN'S REPORT. Management, recycling and recovery of wastes of recreational boat scrapping.