Boat shrink wrap recycling tops 50 tons as program marks third year
Regional program continues to grow, keeping plastic out of landfills and waterways
A record-breaking 22.2 tons of boat shrink wrap were collected and recycled this year through the growing Morris and Sussex County Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling Program, a regional initiative designed to help marinas and boaters dispose of plastic responsibly and protect the environment.
Now in its third year, the program is a collaboration between the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MCMUA), Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority (SCMUA), Roxbury Clean Communities, Jefferson Township, and Pennsylvania-based recycling company Ultra-Poly. With drop-off locations in both counties, the program offers a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to landfilling used shrink wrap.
“We’ve seen strong participation again this year, and it’s making a measurable impact,” said Kyle Richter, executive director of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation. “This kind of regional collaboration proves how much we can accomplish when we work together to protect our environment.”
Since its launch in 2022, the program has recycled more than 50 tons of shrink wrap. Instead of heading to a landfill, the collected plastic is transported to Ultra-Poly’s facility, where it is cleaned, melted down, and pelletized through a closed-loop recycling system. The recycled material is used to manufacture new products such as composite decking, storage containers, and planters.
“Recycling boat shrink wrap is a practical, effective way to reduce waste and support a cleaner community,” said Kellie Ann Keyes, recycling coordinator for Roxbury Township. “It’s been great to see the local boating community embrace this opportunity year after year.”
Education has played a key role in the program’s success. Participants received clear instructions to ensure only clean materials were recycled—an essential step to avoid contamination and maintain high material quality for reuse.
Anthony Marrone, district recycling coordinator for the MCMUA, praised the initiative’s collaborative model: “We are proud to be part of a program that is not only keeping plastic out of the landfill, but also creating a model for how municipalities and organizations can work together for environmental good.”
Offered at no cost to participants, the program was honored with a 2024 Recycling Excellence Award from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for leadership in sustainability and waste reduction.
“Each season we see more and more residents participating, and that growing awareness is exactly what we hope for,” said Dawn Latincsics, recycling coordinator for the SCMUA. “Programs like this show how small actions add up to major environmental benefits.”
