HOW TO TRADE IN YOUR OLD SAILS
HOW TO TRADE IN YOUR OLD SAILS
UPCYCLING - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
North Sails is committed to positively impacting the future of our oceans. We have teamed up with two brands on a sustainability initiative to divert old sails from the landfill.
Q: How do I trade in my old sails?
A: When your sails have reached the end of their useful sailing life - perhaps they resemble bed sheets more than the performance sails you started with – you know it's time to trade them in. Reach out to your local loft for convenient drop-off times or to schedule a pickup. It's really that easy. We are happy to work with you to collect your tired old sails, regardless of brand, and find a new life for them.
Q: What kind of sails can I trade in?
A: Sails accepted into the North Sails Trade In program include 3Di composite, Dacron, nylon spinnakers and intact laminates. We accept sails from any sailmaker.
Q: What becomes of the sail I trade in?
A: North Sails works closely with both SEABAGS in the US and 727 Sailbags in Europe to divert old sails from the landfill and to pave the way for the sailing community to collectively reduce waste. Both upcycling partners turn old sails into meticulously handcrafted, high-quality bags giving these highly durable fabrics a worthwhile second life.
Q: Do you actually “recycle” my old sail?
A: For North Sails, recycling means two things: finding new applications for retired sailcloth, and how we use waste products (like nylon, polyester, and cotton) left over from manufacturing processes. Partnering with companies like SEABAGS and 727 Sailbags creates a pipeline for reuse of retired sailcloth, creating useful products and keeping the sails out of landfills. The waste materials find new life in apparel and gear across our Lifestyle clothing collections. By analyzing every potential recycling initiative, we’re sharply focused on how materials perform and their impact on net carbon reduction.
Q: I’ve heard the term “dead sail” but not sure what it means.
A: A dead sail is a sail that has reached the end of its useful sailing life. At this point, it’s eligible for alternative uses, including the creation of value-added products like bags and apparel.
Q: What does it mean that North Sails is an OCEAN POSITIVE company?
A: Ocean Positive is the guiding principle steering all that we do, across all parts of our global business. The ocean is our life, our love, and indeed our livelihood. And while we’re the first to concede that sailmaking and fashion could always be more environmentally responsible (and we strive to make both much more so), we developed the Ocean Positive principle to show our unwavering commitment to the protection, preservation and regeneration of the ocean. It’s why, among many other things, we measure atmospheric carbon impacts throughout our business with an eye to reducing emissions at every point of our supply chains and manufacturing processes. At the same time, we partner with marine conservation and protection organizations whose global and local programs are positively affecting the health of the ocean.
