[Top] Seven Erie area marinas participated in the first-ever PA Sea Grant local shrink-wrap recycling program in spring 2008.[Bottom] In a matter of weeks, the program collected 25,000 pounds of boat shrink-wrap. |
Pennsylvania Sea Grant led the effort to convert thousands of pounds of boat shrink-wrap into polymer highway guardrail blocks instead of polluting Lake Erie and the local environment. Seven Erie area marinas participated in the first-ever local shrink-wrap recycling program in spring 2008. In a matter of weeks, the program collected 25,000 pounds of boat shrink-wrap. Boat owners who use the low-density polyethylene plastic to protect them in the winter months left the material in designated areas instead of placing it in the trash. "The boat shrink-wrap recycling program was an effort to keep shrink-wrap out of our local waterways and landfills," said Karla Kaczmarek, Pennsylvania Sea Grant coastal outreach specialist. "Because shrink-wrap does not degrade it can be a hazard to fish, waterfowl and boaters if it gets into the lake. In landfills it remains for centuries and centuries just taking up space." Marinas located along Erie's Bayfront Highway deposited the shrink-wrap in a centrally located dumpster donated by Waste Management. Other marinas established dedicated, fenced-in areas. Mondo Polymer Technologies, Inc of Reno, Ohio, collected the shrink-wrap. They collected enough shrink-wrap from the Erie area to produce 3,500 blocks for highway guardrail systems across the nation. In addition to Pennsylvania Sea Grant, Waste Management and Mondo Polymer Technologies, DEP also assisted with the recycling program. Participating marinas included Bay Harbor Marina, Commodore Perry Yacht Club, Erie Yacht Club, North East Marina, Perry's Landing, Presque Isle State Park, and Presque Isle Yacht Club. The program was free of charge to the marinas. Organizers hope to expand the program next year to include additional local marinas and storage facilities. For more information: : : Contact Karla Kaczmarek at 814-217-9020 or kmk32@psu.edu. |