Shrink-wrap Recycling
A Michigan Clean Marina Recycling Program
The Michigan Clean Marina Program is working with marinas to recycle plastic shrink-wrap in the state of Michigan. All marinas, yacht clubs, dry marinas and boat storage yards in Michigan are welcome to join this recycling effort, even if you are not currently participating in the Clean Marina Program. The shrink-wrap recycling effort is a partnership between the Clean Marina Program and Mondo Polymer Technologies, Inc. For more information about collection in your area, please contact the Michigan Clean Marina Recycling Program Coordinator:
Ron Wesel, Mondo Polymers
Email: ron@mondopolymer.com
Phone: (740) 376-9396
More About Shrink-wrap
Shrink-wrap (Low-Density Polyethylene or LDPE) is commonly used for protecting recreational boats stored outside during the winter season from snow, ice, water and debris. The plastic encloses the vessel by heating and shrinking the plastic to make the plastic surfaces ridged thereby providing a protective covering strong enough to hold the weight of snow and ice. In the spring, used shrink-wrap is often discarded and ends up in landfills.
The Michigan Clean Marina Program and Mondo Polymers implemented a pilot shrink-wrap recycling program in Southeast Michigan in 2007. Through this effort, marinas helped divert approximately 150,000 pounds of boat shrink-wrap from landfills to be used for recycled plastic products. Mondo Polymer uses LDPE to manufacture materials such as guardrail blocks, and wheel chalks. LDPE can also be used to manufacture lawn edging, plastic banners, decking and benches.
Municipal Solid Waste: A Growing Problem
According to the EPA, residents, businesses and institutions produced more than 245 million tons of municipal solid waste, or trash, in 2005. That’s approximately 4.5 pounds of waste per person per day. Because of this growing problem, reducing the amount of waste in landfills is now mandated by many states, including Michigan. Currently, the State of Michigan requires that 25 percent of waste generated by residences and businesses be diverted from landfills or incinerated.
Benefits of Recycling
Many businesses benefit from participating in a recycling program, as it reduces waste disposal costs. Many counties throughout Michigan have “Green Business” programs. Target materials for recycling in many counties include newspaper, cardboard, office paper, plastics (LDPE and HDPE), glass bottles, aluminum cans, metals, toner cartridges, and wood pallets. Contact your county to determine how you can participate.
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