The three-day Turning the Tide Summit was hosted recently online by the BoatUS Foundation. Here are three takeaways from the event:

1. One of the leading causes of abandoned, derelict vessels (ADVs) is the cost of disposal. Until a sustainable, cost-effective solution can be made widely available to the boating public, this cause of ADVs will persist. Current efforts around the world show recycling can be accomplished and beneficial use from what would otherwise be waste can be generated, but larger-scale initiatives are needed to create easily accessible viable solutions. One avenue to explore is fiberglass recycling synergies with non-boating industries, such as wind power.

2. Amplifying knowledge could support significant reductions of boat shrink wrap going to landfills. For instance, at the Turning the Tide Summit, attendees learned of partnerships with companies currently accepting shrink wrap for recycling and repurposing. These attendees have already begun investigating how they can work together to use these existing processes to increase their efforts in shrink wrap recycling.

3. Collaboration is necessary to tackle the issues of boating-related waste disposal, from fiberglass to shrink wrap to flares to derelict fishing gear. Forums for discussion and networking, such as the Turning the Tide Summit, will facilitate collaboration.

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