By 1812Blockhouse
As boats begin shedding their winter covers across north central Ohio, there’s a simple choice that carries real weight. Don’t send that mountain of plastic to the landfill. Take it five or ten minutes down the road and recycle it locally.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is urging boaters to plan ahead this spring and make use of nearby drop-off sites through the Ohio Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling Program. The reminder is practical and timely. A single shrink wrap cover can contain as much plastic as 2,000 grocery bags. Multiplied across marinas and private docks, that adds up quickly.
A Local Drop-Off, Close to the Water
Boaters in Richland County and the surrounding area can take their bundled shrink wrap directly to:
Charles Mill Marina
1277 OH-430
Mansfield, OH 44903
419.368.5951
That’s it. No long haul. No complicated process. Just clean it, roll it tight, and drop it off.
What You Need to Do Before You Go
The process is straightforward, but it does require a few minutes of care:
- Cut away all nylon strapping before removing the wrap.
- Remove wood, foam, vents, doors, and any non-plastic materials.
- Roll the clean plastic into a tight bundle.
- Deliver it to the designated drop-off site.
If boaters skip the prep, the material can’t be recycled properly. That’s the difference between a real environmental win and a well-meaning effort that falls short.
Why It Matters More Than You Think
When shrink wrap ends up in a landfill, it does not simply sit there quietly. Over time, it can break down into microplastics that persist in the environment and may eventually make their way into waterways. The recycling program has already made measurable impact. Last year alone, 60,000 pounds of shrink wrap were recycled. Over the program’s 20-year history, more than 2.6 million pounds of plastic have been diverted from landfills.
The effort is supported by the Ohio Clean Marinas Program, which works with marina operators and boaters to implement practical steps that protect Ohio’s coastal and inland waters. Launched in 2004 with support from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the program is administered through ODNR’s Office of Coastal Management and the Ohio Sea Grant College Program.
The Bottom Line for Local Boaters
If you’re removing shrink wrap this spring in Mansfield or anywhere nearby, you have a responsible option close at hand. The local drop-off at Charles Mill Marina makes participation easy. Environmental programs often fail when they ask people to go out of their way. This one does not.
Source: ODNR; Image: Creative Commons License
