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Yachting Carbon Footprint
Building a 30-meter yacht has a significant carbon footprint due to the materials and processes involved. Based on available data, the carbon footprint for constructing a yacht of this size can be around 550 metric tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e). This is roughly equivalent to the emissions produced by manufacturing 105 midsize cars or driving an average passenger vehicle for 1.4 million miles (2.2 million kilometers)1.
It's clear that sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration in yacht building.
There are several eco-friendly options for yacht construction that can help reduce the environmental impact. Here are some sustainable materials and practices:
Eco-Friendly Materials:
- Recycled Plastics: Using recycled plastics, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), can significantly reduce waste and energy consumption.
- Reclaimed Wood: Salvaged wood from old buildings or structures can be repurposed for yacht construction, reducing the demand for new lumber.
- Bio-Based Composites: Composites made from natural fibers (like flax, hemp, or kenaf) and plant-based resins are renewable and have a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional materials.
- Recycled Carbon Fibers: Reusing carbon fibers from decommissioned or damaged boats can help reduce the need for new carbon fiber production.
World’s First 99% Recycled Boat
Environmental charity Hubbub has launched the world’s first boat made from 99% recycled plastic at Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre in London.Built to raise awareness of the growing levels of plastic pollution on Britain’s waterways, ‘Poly-Mer’ will be used to collect clear plastic litter from the Docks.
Recyclable material collected will be used to build more boats, creating a litter-busting fleet of boats.
Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey MP boarded the boat for its maiden voyage, along with school children from nearby Canary Wharf College, and medal-winning British Paralympic sailor Alexandra Rickham. It is made from ‘Plaswood’, a hybrid composite material made from single-use plastic and wood, making it cost-effective,