Clean Ocean Access (COA) and the Town of Westerly are calling all boaters to save and recycle their shrink wrap via a new collection program at the transfer station. From April through the end of June, Westerly and Hopkinton residents can participate in this new pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) program to advance local recycling processes, give wrap a second life in new products, and preserve the capacity of the state’s Central landfill.
EZ-Fill bags can be purchased at the Westerly Transfer Station for $12— each bag holding approximately 800 sq. ft. of wrap, the equivalent of that removed from a 30-foot boat.
Of the 7.6 billion pounds of shrink wrap film manufactured in the U.S. in 2018, less than 3% was collected for recycling. COA’s Shrink Wrap Recycling & Life Cycle Analysis Project aims to bring awareness to global plastic issues and pilot a domestic recycling stream using shrink wrap collected from the marine and agricultural industry of New England.
This boating season, please think about your shrink and join this sustainable effort:
Westerly Transfer Station, 39 Larry Hirsch Lane, Westerly, RI | Mon-Sat 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
For more information about Clean Ocean Access and how you can take part in the Shrink Wrap Recycling Project, visit https://www.cleanoceanaccess.org/shrink-wrap-recycling
More information about TerraCycle and their recycling programs can be found by visiting https://www.TerraCycle.com
About Clean Ocean Access Clean Ocean Access is a not-for-profit organization with a mission of “action today so future generations can enjoy ocean activities.” COA has performed over 1,100 marine debris removals (coastal cleanups) around Aquidneck Island since September 2006 and removed over 190,000 pounds of small to medium size marine debris. After eight years of success with over 6,000 volunteers, they have shifted their focus towards a comprehensive approach that combines marine debris removal with prevention through education and engagement to eliminate plastic pollution and ocean litter. These programs are just a portion of COA’s long-term portfolio of efforts with a vision of a healthy ocean that is free of marine debris, with water that is safe for all ocean activities, and a shoreline that is accessible to the public.
For more information, please visit https://www.cleanoceanaccess.org
CONTACT:
Emily Conklin
Clean Ocean Access
emily.conklin@cleanoceanaccess.org