Use it again ! Ensemble vers l'économie circulaire by Romain Pilliard (BBA 98) and Eric Loizeau

[This translation was generated automatically. This book is only available in French.]

Recycling, renovating, and repairing a racing trimaran… The story of a family adventure that becomes a full-scale test of the circular economy.

In 2015, Romain and Aurélie Pilliard left the village of La Trinité-sur-Mer to move to Shanghai with their two children. There, they experienced the shock of culture – but above all, the shock of limitless pollution.

A chance meeting in Hong Kong with the former owner of Ellen MacArthur’s trimaran – the one she used in 2005 to break the solo round-the-world record – gave them the opportunity to imagine a major new project. The boat had been left abandoned on a concrete yard in Brittany, destined for the scrap heap like a worthless object that our throwaway society wants to discard. Acquiring this boat and restoring it to seaworthy condition according to the principles of the circular economy – reduce, reuse, recycle, while minimising environmental impact – represented an exceptional opportunity to showcase a different approach from the disposable consumer model. The boat, named USE IT AGAIN, became a genuine demonstration tool for circular economy and sustainability.

In November 2018, Romain took the start of the Route du Rhum, in the Ultimate class, with the sole aim of opening minds, inspiring others, and perhaps even provoking reflection. He then embarked on the adventure of an extreme ocean challenge: an attempt at the “reverse” round-the-world record! We interviewed him at the time (read it here). A journey completed in 2022, lasting seven months against prevailing winds and currents.

This is the story of a boat that sails against the tide, and whose adventure is far from over.

Use It Again! Ensemble vers l'économie circulaire

Éditions Glénat

By Eric Loizeau and Romain Pilliard (BBA 98)

€19.95