Sustainable Maritime Interiors - 2022 Report

145 Recycle and reuse rather than replace Replacement should never be the first option considered. Reuse or repurposing is almost always preferable; even partial reuse of equipment and materials would be better than scrapping them. ‘Reuse, recycle, retain’ is a useful motto when it comes to deciding how to manage items over their life cycle on a ship. Many structures can be broken down into component parts which can then be reused or recycled. Multi-level deconstruction could salvage usable materials, sub-assemblies and components thereby significantly cutting waste. Forward thinking in the design and construction stages could make this disassembly more straightforward. Items that cannot be reused by their current owner can be offered to one of the waste exchange markets which buy and sell reusable and recyclable commodities. There are many ways to reuse fittings in order to improve sustainability and avoid purchasing expensive, brand-new products. Ceiling panels can be repositioned, while curtains can become upholstery. Wood can be sanded and refinished. Metal can be resurfaced. Wall panels can be laminated or foiled. Waste is more expensive to dispose of when it is not sorted and much unsorted, or wrongly sorted, waste ends up in landfill. Rubbish should be properly categorised for recycling before it is taken off the ship and out of the yard. Some waste has high value when handled correctly which might make the additional cost of pre-sorting less significant. Contracts could also specify minimum waste recycling rates. Partnerships and best practice Partnerships with suppliers and designers who have creative solutions can assist with the reuse of waste. By supporting innovation, vessel owners can become part of the solution rather than being part of the problem. Many different types of organisation can assist with the responsible disposal of unwanted items and materials. Shipyards, governments, NGOs, charities and other local stakeholders all have a role to play. Suppliers could be encouraged to take responsibility for the removal and recycling of their own products and packaging. Vessel owners would need to establish the conditions to be met in each country where there is a newbuild or refurbishment yard in order to facilitate the transfer of materials coming off a ship to a third party so they can be reused. Agreements as to how recycling will be accomplished should be reached before a refurbishment project begins. – “There is no need to completely destroy everything if many of the items can be updated visually and continue in their original role or in an alternative one”

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