Sustainable Extricko at the RYA Dinghy Show: A Huge Step for Sail Recycling
The RYA Dinghy Show 2025 was a massive success for Sustainable Extricko, proving that sailors are ready to embrace real recycling solutions for their end-of-life sails. Over the weekend, we collected nearly 200kg of sails—that’s three full bins worth of material now saved from landfill and ready to be processed into high-performance recycled fibers.
From well-used Dacron to Kevlar laminates and even a sail that had been underwater in a lake for two years, sailors brought in all kinds of waste. We even received 15 retro windsurf sails, proving that the demand for recycling stretches across different sailing disciplines.
The response from sailors was incredible, said Sam Penhaul, co-founder of Sustainable Extricko. People were excited to see a real solution in action—some thought it wasn’t even possible to recycle sails like this. But once we showed them how it works, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
The Next Step: Bringing Recycling Bins to Clubs
A big takeaway from the event was the demand for recycling bins at sailing clubs. Many visitors asked how they could set up a similar system in their own communities—a challenge we’re actively working on. We’re developing a streamlined way for clubs to collect and recycle their own sail waste, making it easier than ever for grassroots sailing to be part of the solution.
Industry Engagement & Expanding Partnerships
It wasn’t just sailors who got involved. Small-scale sailmakers and bag manufacturers showed a strong interest in finding ways to recycle their manufacturing waste and even bring more sail production back to the UK using recycled materials.
Standing Room Only for Joe’s Talk
Co-founder Dr. Joe Penhaul-Smith took the stage at the Knowledge Zone, where his talk on sustainable sail recycling was standing room only. With key figures like Phil Horton (RYA Sustainability Manager) and Rebecca from World Sailing in attendance, the enthusiasm for industry-wide adoption was clear.
The challenge now is making this system universal, said Joe. The interest from the RYA, World Sailing, and others shows that the demand is there—we just need to ensure it’s scalable and accessible to all.
Looking Ahead
The momentum from the RYA Dinghy Show has reinforced the need for real, scalable recycling solutions in sailing. Whether it’s setting up club-based bins, expanding partnerships with manufacturers, or improving industry-wide adoption, Sustainable Extricko is leading the charge in closing the loop on sail waste.
Want to see sail recycling at your club? Stay tuned—we’re working on it.
The future of sail recycling is here. Let’s make it happen together.