Hovertravel Celebrates National Recycling Week with Creative Sustainability Initiatives

Hovertravel marked National Recycling Week (22–27 September 2025) by showcasing the inventive ways it’s reducing waste and giving materials a second life.

The 2025 campaign encouraged communities, schools, and businesses to keep valuable resources in circulation, cut landfill waste, and protect the environment — a mission Hovertravel is embracing in a number of innovative ways.

Turning Hovercraft Rubber into Art and Everyday Items

Hovertravel has been working with Twyford Recycling to process retired hovercraft skirts.

The heavy-duty rubber is chopped into small pieces, making it easier to recycle for use in equestrian surfaces, school play areas, and other projects.

Taking things a step further, Hovertravel collaborates with artist Aine Naylor of OffKuttt, who transforms offcuts into striking products such as handbags, earrings, and purses.

Through workshops and community events, OffKuttt shows how discarded hovercraft materials can inspire creativity while promoting sustainability.

Loretta Lale, Head of Commercial at Hovertravel, said:

“Recycling isn’t just about sorting waste — it’s about rethinking what materials can become.

"Our partnerships, such as with OffKuttt, show how innovative ideas can transform discarded items into something useful and beautiful.”

Recycling Across the Community

Hovertravel’s green initiatives extend beyond art:

• Coastal Defence: Shingle that builds up at the Southsea Hoverport is collected and reused to strengthen sea defences.

• HoverGreen Souvenirs: Retired hovercraft skirts are turned into keyrings, coasters, and decorations, available online and in-terminal.

• Youth & Community Projects: Isle of Wight Explorer Scouts craft fire beaters from old skirt material.

• Seasonal Seaweed Collection: Seaweed from Ryde Hoverport is offered to local residents for gardening and agriculture.

• Excess Sand Donations: Surplus sand has been donated to the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary near Ventnor.

Looking Ahead

Hovertravel continues to explore ways to recycle and repurpose materials while partnering with local businesses, artists, and community groups.

From souvenirs to coastal protection, these initiatives show how creativity and collaboration can make a real impact on the environment.