\ Alta Tecnologia \ Barcolana Sea Summit: Area Science Park presents the Refiber project

How to decommission and manage the disposal of end-of-life pleasure crafts is a major environmental, as well as socio-economic, issue. Italian research organisation Area Science Park, together with the company Innovando, is studying the technical, economic and administrative feasibility of a national collective system for managing end-of-life pleasure boats (12-24 m range), which is currently being set up. The initiative is looking to take its cue from the consolidated Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model for manufacturers and distributors of pleasure crafts.

Under the EPR model, a producer’s responsibility is extended to what happens at the end of a product’s life. It is regulated at both the European level (Directive 2018/851) and at the national level (Italian Legislative Decree 116/2020) and is considered one of the cornerstones of a circular economy, particularly as regards waste management and the responsibility of those producing the good.

Refiber was presented during one of the keynote speeches at the Barcolana Sea Summit: “Navigare nel Futuro: l’economia circolare nello yachting”, (Navigating the Future: the circular economy in yachting). It was part of a rich programme of events organised by “Barcolana presented by Generali” which ran from 6 to 9 October 2021 in Trieste.

The 2021 edition of the Barcolana Sea Summit – “Il mare è per sempre” (The sea is forever) – consisted of 6 tracks spread over 4 days, each with a different theme: from the ocean economy to professions in the boating industry, and from green ports to what science and innovation can offer the sector. The Summit is for economic and political stakeholders, those working in science, students, as well as anyone who cares about the ocean and is committed to safeguarding its future.