Lifejacket disposal/recycling
Lifejacket disposal/recycling
Author
Discussion

guillemot

Original Poster:

329 posts

181 months

Tuesday 1st August 2023
quotequote all
Possibly a dense question but I’ll ask anyway. we have new lifejackets and need to dispose of/recycle the old ones. Anyone know the best way to do this, please?

Simpo Two

89,275 posts

281 months

Tuesday 1st August 2023
quotequote all
It's a good question, there must be plenty scattered along the beaches of Kent.

OutInTheShed

11,647 posts

42 months

Tuesday 1st August 2023
quotequote all
We're talking auto inflatable Life jackets, not buoyancy aids?

Jump in the water (pool, beach?) and see if it works?

Personally I keep a good condition but technically past its use-by date one for boat activity where risk is low but dirt and wear and tear are higher.

When I'm done, I chop up the jacket/inflatable bit and put it in the 'waste to energy skip'.

The webbing bits can be re-used for boat cover straps or whatever.

I don't want some idiot getting hold of it and selling it on ebay or giving it to someone to rely on.

My previous LJ went off while it was still 'in date' but I renewed it rather than re-armed it, as it only had a few years left and was a bit worn and grubby.

guillemot

Original Poster:

329 posts

181 months

Tuesday 1st August 2023
quotequote all
OutInTheShed said:
We're talking auto inflatable Life jackets, not buoyancy aids?

Jump in the water (pool, beach?) and see if it works?

Personally I keep a good condition but technically past its use-by date one for boat activity where risk is low but dirt and wear and tear are higher.

When I'm done, I chop up the jacket/inflatable bit and put it in the 'waste to energy skip'.

The webbing bits can be re-used for boat cover straps or whatever.

I don't want some idiot getting hold of it and selling it on ebay or giving it to someone to rely on.

My previous LJ went off while it was still 'in date' but I renewed it rather than re-armed it, as it only had a few years left and was a bit worn and grubby.
Yes, auto lifejackets. They work, yes, but that doesn’t solve the issue of how to dispose/recycle properly. They’re very old now and difficult to add lights/hood etc., hence upgrading. I guess I just hoped there was some sort of scheme for it. I suppose not then.

I had one go off in the boot once, nearly popped the rear screen. Gave me and I suspect the drive behind a nasty fright as the orange cloud appeared rather quickly. biggrin

s2kjock

1,798 posts

163 months

Tuesday 1st August 2023
quotequote all
Have you tried the manufacturer or a major chandlery? They may have ESG commitments to meet.