MICHIGAN MARINE
FILM PLASTIC RECYCLING PROGRAM

PlasticFilmPoints

Michigan Recycling Coalition has developed a program in partnership with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to recycle high and low density polyethylene film plastics from Michigan's marinas. Shrink film is used most commonly to insulate and protect boats for winter storage.

Michigan is a unique location for the production of these plastic films. As a Great Lakes state, we have one of the most prosperous boating industries, with hundreds of marinas along Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Huge quantities of waste film are being produced in Michigan every day. Film plastics are not biodegradable and contribute significant mass to our landfills. This program will benefit boaters and contribute to maintaining the beauty and cleanliness of our state.

Marine/Boat Wrap Film Recycling

The Recycling Run has been the official collection program for boat covers in Michigan for over ten years. In 2022, we collected 80,000 pounds of film, equaling 40 tons of plastic diverted from Michigan landfills. Join the over 50 marinas, boat dealers, and individuals across the state in reducing your waste and keeping our harbors clean!

The 2023 Recycle Run Program has wrapped up! Thank you to those who participated. It's never too early to start planning for recycling next year!

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Why Recycle Boat Covers?

  • Protects the Great Lakes by keeping them clean and waste-free.
  • Looks great on a Clean Marina application or recertification.
  • Fuels the circular economy in Michigan! Recycled plastics are used to create new products here in the U.S.
  • For every bag recycled, we save:
    • 115 kWh of energy
    • 13.5 gallons of oil
    • 16-20 cubic feet of landfill space

How Do I Participate?

For Direct Pick-Up of your boat covers, you must meet a 15-bag minimum. Locations in the UP must meet a 70-bag minimum.

  1. Buy your EZ-Fill Recycle Run bags at the Dr. Shrink website. This one-time fee covers the cost of transportation and recycling.
  2. Register your business or organization with the MRC to secure your participation in the program.
  3. Each bag comes with a zip tie to seal the bag, along with instructions on how to remove your boat covers. Make sure you remove all zippers, buckles, and vents before packing your bag.
    • Bags are industrial size and can hold covers from up to a 32’ boat (1 large cover or 1-3 small covers).
  4. Program Coordinators will reach out to schedule a pick-up with your business in June - August.

Recycling For Individual Boaters

  1. For boaters with less than five boat covers, call Dr. Shrink directly at (800) 968-5147 to get reduced shipping costs.
  2. Locate your nearest participating drop-off location by using the list below or the map linked above.
  3. Prepare your bag by removing all strapping, buckles, vents, and zippers before placing it in the bag.
  4. Bring your bag to the drop-off location for recycling.
    • Note that each drop-off location is different. Check for hours and any important information using the list below.
    • Once a location has had their bags picked up, they will be removed from the drop-off list.

Drop-offs will accept bags between April 1st and June 1st

Anchors Way Marina

143 Anchors Way St. Joseph MI 49085

269-408-8619

M-F 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, SAT 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

 

Antrim Conservation District

4820 Stover Road, Bellaire, MI 49615

231-533-8363

Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

 

Bay Area Recycling for Charities

14407 Industrial Dr. Kaleva, MI 49645

(231) 883-4360 M - F 9 a.m – 4 p.m

 

Bay Area Recycling for Charities

466 US 31 South, Traverse City, MI 49685

(231) 632-2272 M - F 9 a.m - 4 p.m

 

Biz Aid, LLC Recycling

90 Darling Dr, Coldwater, MI 49036

517-227-4901 Wed- Sat., 9 a.m. - 2 p.m

Bags are NOT needed; a fee is paid to the site.

 

Charter Township of Commerce

2009 Township Dr. Commerce Township, MI. 48390

248-960-7070

Monday - Thursday 7:15am to 5:30pm

EMS Boat Transport and Storage

9375 11 Mile Rd (M 20) Mecosta, MI 49332

231-972-4813

Drop-Offs accepted anytime

Bags Sold Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00-3:00
Saturdays 9:00-1:00

 

Emmet County Drop-Off Center

7363 Pleasantview Rd. Harbor Springs, MI 49740

231-348-0640 M-F 8:00a.m-4:00p.m,

Saturdays 8:00 a.m-3:00 p.m

 

Leaders RPM

8500 West Main Kalamazoo, MI 49009

269-372-1072 x 115

M - F 8:00 - 5:00, Sat 8:00AM - 1 PM

 

Monroe Boat Club

7932 Bolles Harbor Drive Monroe MI 48161

24/7 Access, place at storage lot

419-260-9578

 

Oakland Shrinkwrap LLC

1404 Enterprise Drive, Highland Charter Twp, MI 48357

(248) 820-0531

M-F: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sat: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM Sun: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

 

 

 

RB Marine Services

6771 Enterprise Drive, Douglas MI 49406

M-F 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Sat 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

(269)-455-5452

 

Snug Harbor Marina

616 S. Hancock St. Pentwater, MI. 49449

Call in advance

231-690-4655

Monday-Sunday 9am-5:00pm

 

Sunfield Recycling Center

1045 Independence Boulevard, Charlotte, MI 48813

Wed 2:00 p.m - 6:00 p.m, Sat 9:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m

517-543-3686

Bags NOT needed; fee paid to site (If you already have them in bags, you will not be charged again)

 

Twin Lakes Marina

2460 Fleming Rd. Lewiston, MI 49756

989-786-2711

Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM, Sunday: Closed

 

How to Prepare Boat Shrink Wrap for Recycling:

Step 1

STEP ONE:
Cut the shrink wrap just above the perimeter band, going around the entire boat.

Step 2

STEP TWO:
After removing all vents, zipper doors, strapping, and buckles, begin removing your shrink wrap cover. Try to keep the shrink wrap as clean as possible.

Step 3

STEP THREE:
Stuff your EZ-Fill Bag with your boat wrap. If storing outside, turn sealed bag upside down until pickup and do not overstuff bags - make sure to use supplied closure device to seal the bag.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • The bags must ONLY contain shrink-wrap covers.
  • Make sure to exclude all strapping, buckles, vents, and other contaminants from the bag.
  • Shrink wrap must remain clean and dry.
  • Pickups will be conducted June - August.

PARTNERS

Interested in helping us grow a robust and impactful program? We need partners like you! A fact sheet is provided above for recycling facilities interested in processing film plastic for end-market use.

Our current partners include Bay Area Recycling for Charities, Dr. Shrink, Eaton County, Edge Materials Management, EGLE, and Emmet County Recycling

BARC
Bronze - Dr. Shrink
EatonCo
Edge_small
Grand - EGLE
Silver - Emmet County Recycling
MFB Stacked

CONTACT:   Katie Fournier ┃Michigan Recycling Coalition ┃P: 517-974-3672 ┃E: kfournier@michiganrecycles.org