Lake Erie island effort turns shrink wrap waste into a sustainability success
As the boating season gets underway, the Ohio Clean Marinas Program, in partnership with the Put-in-Bay community, has successfully launched a collaborative effort to divert South Bass Island’s shrink wrap from landfills, demonstrating how community partnerships can turn plastic waste into a valuable resource.
Each year, thousands of pounds of boat shrink wrap are removed from vessels across Ohio. A single boat’s shrink wrap cover can contain as much plastic as 2,000 grocery bags. When improperly disposed of, this material can contribute to landfill waste and break down into microplastics that persist in the environment. Through the Ohio Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling Program, boaters have a convenient and environmentally responsible option for recycling shrink wrap at designated collection sites across the state.
This spring, the Ohio Clean Marinas Program partnered with Bret Klun, General Manager of The Keys and Park Place Boat Club, and Michael Pucak, Manager of South Bass Island State Park, to address the significant volume of shrink wrap generated on South Bass Island. Widely used for winter boat storage, packaging, golf cart winterization, and other applications, shrink wrap represents a substantial source of plastic waste on the island.
The Ohio Clean Marinas Program supported the initiative by providing collection-site signage, coordinating recycling logistics, and sharing best practices from previous recycling efforts.
Klun spearheaded local coordination efforts, bringing together businesses, organizations, and residents across South Bass Island to support the program. Participating partners included:
• The Boardwalk Family of Restaurants
• Ohio Division of Parks & Watercraft – South Bass Island State Park
• Ohio Clean Marinas Program
• Miller Boat Line
• Heineman’s Winery
• Frosty’s
• Lake Disposal Services
• Firelands Local LLC
• Put-in-Bay community members.
Shrink wrap drop-off locations were established at The Keys and Dairy Isle parking lots, providing convenient access for community members and businesses. To ensure successful recycling, participants were asked to remove all straps, vents, and zippers before depositing materials. Once collection containers were full, the shrink wrap was transported to South Bass Island State Park for temporary storage before being shipped for recycling in late May.
A key partner in the effort was Firelands Local LLC, a Norwalk-based organization that provides meaningful employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Firelands Local coordinated the collection and transport of the material, with assistance from local volunteers and community members who helped load the shrink wrap for removal and processing.
The initiative ultimately diverted 1,400 pounds of shrink wrap from the landfill. The recycled plastic will be transformed into durable products such as wheel chocks and guardrail blocks used along Ohio roadways, giving the material a second life while reducing environmental impacts.
“This effort demonstrates the power of collaboration and community engagement in addressing environmental challenges,” said the Ohio Clean Marinas Program team. “By working together, South Bass Island partners created a practical solution that keeps plastic waste out of landfills and supports sustainable recycling practices.”
The success of the project provides a model for other waterfront communities seeking to reduce plastic waste and expand recycling opportunities.
Boaters and marinas interested in participating in Ohio’s Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling Program can find designated recycling locations throughout the state. For more information, contact the Ohio Clean Marinas Program at ohiocleanmarinas@osu.edu.
About the Ohio Clean Marinas Program
The Ohio Clean Marinas Program promotes environmentally responsible marina and boating practices through education, outreach, and voluntary stewardship initiatives. The program works with marinas, boaters, and waterfront communities to protect Ohio’s waterways and support sustainable recreation.