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Upcycled sailcloth enjoying a second wind
Recycling and upcycling; do you know the difference? The recycling process involves taking an item which is considered as waste, breaking it down or destroying it, then making something new from what remains. Upcycling on the other hand is when an old or discarded item is turned into something new and useful while still keeping the form of its original materials.
At Sails and Canvas in Topsham, Devon, they are experts in both. With the use of hard work combined with some creative thinking, the small team produce striking new products out of old sailcloth. Or, in the words of their website,' from sails that have past their sail by date'.
Full circle
After running an established sail-making company for over twenty years, the owners of Sails & Canvas decided to diversify two years ago. Buying in old sails from dinghies, yachts and even windsurf boards, they started to produce bags in their sail loft at the back of Topsham Quay.
Explained Olly, who looks after sales and marketing for the business, "It's like the sails have come full circle. They used to be made here and now old ones are returning to the same place to be recycled into something new."
 Christmas stockings
Today, their product range has increased significantly. Sails & Canvas now make a whole range of bags for shopping, air travel, tools, the beach, and sports kit, as well as other items like shower curtains, hot tub covers, dog beds and leads, cushions, windbreaks, sunshades and awnings, bunting, bottle gift bags and, very recently, Christmas stockings.
"We only use old sails, not new ones," explained Olly. "They are very strong and durable, as well as being splash proof and water resistant, making them ideal for upcycling. The off-cuts are then recycled to use for smaller items like bunting or phone cases, or as stuffing for sandbags."
 Maritime mementos
 With everything being made in-house, Sales & Canvas goods can be personalised to produce a truly individual piece. They can even make specific items to order. Earlier this year, for example, they received a call from Texas in the USA.  Having spotted their new website, a customer was phoning to ask for two beanbags to be made especially for his visit to the UK a fortnight later. A request which Sails & Canvas happily accepted.
In fact, quite a large part of the business comes from bespoke requests. Many customers bring in the sails from their own boats so that they can have a special reminder made of their maritime days. Sails & Canvas are often asked to make cushions from these with the original sail number still on display. Sail fittings can be included too, like ribbons, brass clips, logos rope and eyelets. They've also made individual covers for hot tubs and even, somewhat unusually, X-ray machines!
With only a handful of places in this country offering a similar service, it's certainly a specialist business - saving old sailcloths from landfill and giving them a brand new breath of life. 
Enjoy a look around in their virtual tour below.
ails & Canvas also carry out sail and cover repairs, along with other marine services.
Visit them at 10 Topsham Quay, Topsham, Devon EX3 0JB. Tel: 01392 877527. Follow them on Twitter at @SailsCanvas or on Facebook at UKSailsandCanvas, and look them up on the web at sailsandcanvas.co.uk.
 
 

Date: 09 January 2015
Author: The 360 Company