Canadian Yachting
Don't trash your used sails! If it's time to replace your stained and shapeless sail, the green choice is to recycle it. A sail that is still in good condition can be resold and most can be found in the boating section in the local and nation sailing publications, newsletters or buy & sell web sites.
There are other options for a warn out sail made from Dacron. Dacron has physical properties that can have a life beyond being just a sail. Dacron fibers are weaved together to give the sailcloth high strength with minimal stretch. It is translucent, abrasion and UV resistant, doesn’t rot and holds water very well. Even if your sail is in poor condition it’s properties are mostly intact.
Recycled Dacron sailcloth can be cut and made into; sun shades in green houses, natural roof lighting in chicken coups, camper awnings, firewood covers and wind screens. It's even been made into strong and water resistant “Puddle Jump Bags”.
Originally published here.