American startups convert abandoned wind turbine blades into park benches

CTOnews.com, Nov. 27 (Xinhua)-- Ohio startup Canvus has turned abandoned wind turbine blades into park benches, flowerpots and picnic tables for public use across the United States.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that by 2026, the average abandonment rate of wind turbine blades will include as many as 9000 a year, and that number will continue to grow. As a result, startup Canvus has come up with a way to reuse leaves and turn them into practical public goods.

Since Canvus was founded in April 2022, large wind turbine manufacturers such as Vestas, GE and Avangrid have sent thousands of blades to their factories. Canvus also works with non-profit and civil society organizations to provide park benches, tables and flowerpots to cities and towns across the United States. The company also works with a network of artists to paint on its products.

According to reports, wind turbine blades are cut in 40 feet (CTOnews.com Note: about 12.19m) and coated with epoxy paint. Canvus also uses recycled materials from other industries, such as used tires, shoes and plastic waste.

Brian Donahue, vice president of corporate affairs at Canvus, told foreign media electrek that the company had sold "hundreds or even thousands" of products to the American community. He said the company's goal is to handle 10000-15000 blades a year and to do so needs to expand its product line.

Canvus also makes creative products that allow community users to make a wish list of Canvus products they want, which cost an average of about $6000 (currently about 42900 yuan). Users can carve a souvenir of someone on a bench, or an advertisement for a company. Each bench has a QR code that provides more information about the user.