RECYCLE RUN: BOAT SHRINK WRAP RECYCLING PROGRAM
registration for recycle run is now open!
Within Michigan's prosperous boating industry, high and low density polyethylene film plastic, a.k.a. boat shrink wrap, is used to insulate and protect boats for winter storage. As hundreds of Michigan marinas unwrap their boats each summer, huge quantities of waste film are produced. Plastic film cannot be recycled in your curbside bin or cart. Luckily, there's an alternative!
Dozens of marinas, boat shops, communities, individual boaters, and other marine stakeholders participate in Recycle Run, Michigan's official boat shrink wrap recycling program. Each year, the Michigan Recycling Coalition promotes and supports program partners in collecting shrink wrap from registrants around the state. This material is then delivered to manufacturers and transformed into new products like composite decking.
With over 220 tons of shrink wrap recycled, Recycle Run benefits boaters and helps maintain the beauty and cleanliness of our state. To participate, it's as simple as:
- Register online
- Buy & fill Recycle Run storage bags
- Depending on bag quantity, either drop your bags off at a designated drop-off location or wait for us to contact you with a pick-up date
Click the buttons below to get started, and read through this page for complete instructions.
RECYCLING YOUR BOAT SHRINK WRAP
FOR BUSINESSES & MARINE GROUPS
- Buy EZ-Fill Recycle Run bags from Dr. Shrink. The purchase of bags covers the cost of pick-up, haul-away, and recycling of the material. Each bag can fit 800 sq. ft. of plastic, a.k.a the wrap from one 32 foot boat or 1 - 3 smaller boat wraps.
- Fill out this form to register for the 2026 program.
- Once you receive your bags, read through the recycling instructions. See this video for more details.
- Make sure you remove all zippers, buckles, and vents before packing your bag(s), or your material could be rendered unrecyclable.
- If you order and fill at least 15 bags, we'll pick them up for no additional cost! If eligible, we'll reach out to you with a pick-up date after registration closes in June.
- Locations in the Upper Peninsula must fill at least 70 bags to meet the pick-up threshold.
For Communities
If you're a leader in a boating community, operating a boat shrink wrap program is a great way to divert waste & foster community engagement.
- To simplify the participation process, purchase EZ-Fill Dr. Shrink bags to resell or distribute to local boaters. Remind residents that each bag can fit up to 800 sq. ft. of plastic, a.k.a the wrap from one 32 foot boat or 1 - 3 smaller boat wraps.
- Fill out this form to register your community as a pick-up location for the 2026 program.
- Find a dry, protected location for bag drop-off and storage.
- Spread the word! We suggest using multiple channels, including social media, to market the program to your residents. Remember to remind residents to prevent contamination by removing all zippers, buckles, and vents before packing their bag(s).
Click here for additional information, and contact the Project Coordinator at jplant@michiganrecycles.org or 810-692-1095 for assistance.
For Individual Boaters
- Buy EZ-Fill Recycle Run bags from Dr. Shrink. For boaters with less than five boat covers, call Dr. Shrink directly at (800) 968-5147 to get reduced shipping costs.
- Fill out this form to register for the 2026 program. For the third question, select "Less than 15 bags."
- Once you receive your bags, read through the recycling instructions. See this video for more details.
- Make sure you remove all zippers, buckles, and vents before packing your bag(s), or your material could be rendered unrecyclable.
- Find a local drop-off center to recycle your bags, which will be listed in the next section starting in either March or April.
- Note that each drop-off location is different. Check for hours and any important information using the list below.
- Make sure to drop your bags off before June 1st, as locations will begin to be removed from the list after this date.
Why PARTICIPATE IN RECYCLE RUN?
- Protects local harbors, and the Great Lakes, by reducing plastic waste.
- Looks great on a Clean Marina application or recertification.
- Fuels the circular economy! Recycled plastics are used to create new products here in North America.
- For every bag recycled, we save:
- 115 kWh of energy
- 13.5 gallons of oil
- 16-20 cubic feet of landfill space
Join dozens of marinas, boat dealers, and individuals across the state in recycling your boat shrink wrap and keeping our harbors clean!
HELPFUL LINKS
Questions, comments, or concerns? Click to email the Project Coordinator, or call (810) 692-0195.
If you plan to order and fill less than 15 Recycle Run bags, you must take them to a public drop-off site to be recycled.
A list of sites will be available in March or early April, and will be continually updated until registration closes on June 1st.
If you lead a business or community and would like to volunteer your site as a local drop-off for individual boaters, please contact jplant@michiganrecycles.org.
How to Prepare Boat Shrink Wrap for Recycling:
STEP ONE:
Cut the shrink wrap just above the perimeter band, going around the entire boat.
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 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
CONTACT: Jillian Plant ┃Michigan Recycling Coalition ┃P: 517-974-3672 ┃E: jplant@michiganrecycles.org