Marine debris such as discarded fishing line can harm marine ecosystems. Stacey Nedrow-Wigmore
Download hi-res photo

What to do with marine shrink wrap? Ask your marina, yard, boat club, or county if they have a recycling program. This can help create a demand – the first step in starting a program. Stacey Nedrow-Wigmore
Download hi-res photo

SPRINGFIELD, Va., April 17, 2025 -- Mother Earth needs a little help from boaters, but what can they do to make the biggest difference this summer on the water? The non-profit BoatUS Foundation has three earth-friendly tips that will go a long way on April 22, Earth Day, and all summer boating season long.

1. What’s your trash plan? This is the basics, folks. Keeping trash out of the water is the No. 1 way boaters can help Mother Earth. However, what makes a good boat trash container? One that is secured to the boat and has a firm cover that holds contents inside no matter how fast you’re going, preventing balls of discarded fishing line, snack packaging, or  empty plastic bottles from flying overboard. Having a trash sign on the receptable helps ensure guests dispose of trash appropriately as well. The same goes for recyclables. If you’re an angler it’s also a good idea to keep discarded line in a separate container so it can be easily dropped into a fishing recycling bin ashore.

2. Help stop the drops. Refueling safely, such as running the blower motor for three to five minutes after refueling a boat with an enclosed engine space is very important. But how do you prevent a spill from happening? Start by knowing how much fuel your boat holds and how much fuel you’ll likely need. After turning off all electrical such as ignition and your stereo is silent, refuel with your ear near the fill so you can hear the change in tone as the tank gets full, and stop filling before the tank is topped off. It’s OK to leave a little room in the tank. It’s a good idea when refueling to have an absorbent pad ready, or better yet, use an absorbent donut around the deck fill. Be sure to dispose of any fuel-soaked pads safely. If you’re a  marina or fuel dock operator ramping up for the summer boating season, you can help the environment by having your seasonal staff take the free online course, Spill Prevention for Marina Staff, which can help minimize your risk, train your staff, protect your marina and the environment.

3. Ask about shrink wrap recycling. Some states or local regions make it easy to recycle shrink wrap. If you’re not lucky to have a shrink wrap recycling program available to you, start asking for one. Any marina operator will tell you that listening to their customers is an important part of their success. At the recent Turning the Tide Online summit focusing on ways to solve the marine debris program, it was shared that shrink wrap has beneficial use for recycling into construction products such as composite decking – but boaters have to speak up to help drive demand for these programs.  

###

Suggested social media post:

3 ways boaters can help Mother Earth on April 22 and beyond. How many do you practice on your boat? https://bit.ly/43YX7ay  @BoatUSFoundation #cleanwater #cleanwaterways #turningthetideonline #earthday #earthdayeveryday #protectourplanet #recycle #greatoutdoors

About the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water:

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by donations from the more than 725,000 members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the nonprofit provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America's waterways, and keeping boating safe for all. A range of safe and clean boating courses – including the nation's only free online boating safety course – can be found at BoatUS.org/Courses.