BRISTOL – The Rhode Island Fiberglass Vessel Recycling pilot project, or RIFVR, has completed its first major delivery of boat-hull materials, the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association announced.
RIFVR is an effort by Rhode Island Sea Grant and RIMTA to find a solution to the disposal of fiberglass recreational boats, which last for many years in landfills after being crushed and buried. According to RIMTA, the pilot program to use these materials in the production of cement is the first of its kind in North America.
Processed and prepared recyclate materials were delivered for use by cement-industry partners in South Carolina, according to the RIMTA newsletter. A network of partners has been established to meet demand of large cement suppliers.
“We have demonstrated the viability of boat-hull recyclate to serve as an environmentally sustainable alternative resource in the production of cement,” RIMTA Project Manager Evan Ridley said in an update. “Application of the recyclate is dependent on the technical capability of specific production facilities and the associated regulatory guidelines that determine their use of alternatives.”
Following multilevel discussions with government agencies, such as the R.I. Department of Environmental Management, Ridley said the program will now look into variables that could influence expanding the network model.
Susan Shalhoub is a PBN contributing writer.
