Sail recycling network launched in South West

Clean Sailors has teamed up with Sails & Canvas to create a sail recycling network in the South West, UK – the first of its kind – to make old sails into new things.

Sailcloth is made from a number of natural and synthetic materials including cotton, polyester and nylon and as such is sturdy and durable.

While sails are often used for many years before being discarded, they are not formally recyclable and therefore end up in landfill.

But now, Clean Sailors is encouraging sailors to drop off their old sails at SKB Sails (Falmouth) free of charge. The sails will be upcycled by Sails & Canvas (Topsham, Devon) and given a second life as a lifestyle product. This means the recycled sailcloth could become bags, washbags, deck chairs and doorstops.

“We are really excited to introduce our sail recycling network for sails here in the South West,” says says Holly Manvell, founder of Clean Sailors. “Despite being too old for our boats, worn-out, damaged sails can be turned into many other great quality and sturdy products.

“It’s awesome to have bought our project to life in Falmouth with our local partner, SKB Sails, and we look forward to rolling our sail recycling network out further afield over the coming months, keeping these huge sheets of highly durable materials out of landfill.”