Don’t Trash That Boat Shrink Wrap—Recycle It! Recycle Dates and Locations for Morris and Sussex Counties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Anthony Marrone District Recycling Coordinator, Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority

Holly Odgers Communications Director, Lake Hopatcong Foundation

973-663-2500, holly@lakehopatcongfoundation.org

Don’t Trash That Boat Shrink Wrap—Recycle It!

Lake Hopatcong Area, NJ (April 14, 2025) – Local organizations are teaming up to offer free boat shrink wrap recycling, helping boaters dispose of plastic responsibly and protect the environment. A drop-off event will take place on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Jefferson Township Health Center, 57 Minnisink Road, Lake Hopatcong, NJ. For added convenience, shrink wrap can also be dropped off Monday–Saturday, 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority’s Solid Waste Facility, 34 Rt. 94 South, Lafayette, NJ.

“Recycling boat shrink wrap is a simple yet impactful way to protect our environment,” said Kellie Ann Keyes, recycling coordinator for Roxbury Township. “We’re proud to partner with local organizations to make it easy for boaters to recycle responsibly.”

Boat shrink wrap, made from recyclable plastic, is often discarded in landfills despite its potential for reuse in products like plastic bags, composite lumber, and new shrink wrap.

“We are thrilled to partner with local organizations to make boat shrink wrap recycling accessible and convenient for the community,” said Ryan Miller, business development manager at Ultra-Poly, a Pennsylvania-based recycling company. “By providing this service, we’re not only helping reduce plastic waste but also contributing to the creation of valuable, new products from recycled materials.”

To recycle shrink wrap properly, remove all non-plastic materials such as ropes, vents, and zippers. Then shake off any dirt, leaves, or debris, and fold or roll the material into a manageable size before dropping it off.

“By working together, we’re keeping plastic out of landfills and helping to protect Lake Hopatcong and surrounding waterways,” said Kyle Richter, executive director at the Lake Hopatcong Foundation. “We encourage everyone to take advantage of this free program.”

Now in its third year, this regional recycling program has already kept over 27 tons of shrink wrap out of landfills. The program is offered at no cost to participants, thanks to the support of Ultra-Poly, which handles collection, transportation, and recycling. The clean plastic is processed through a closed-loop recycling system and reused locally. The initiative was recognized by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for its leadership in waste reduction and sustainability.

“We are excited to see the expanded success of this recycling initiative and its impact in reducing waste for a third year,” said Anthony Marrone, district recycling coordinator for the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority. “This partnership is a great example of how creative solutions can make a real difference in our community.”

The effort is a collaboration between the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority, Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority, Roxbury Clean Communities, Jefferson Township, and Ultra-Poly.

“We’re proud to support this regional effort to keep recyclable materials out of our landfills,” said Dawn Latincsics, Sussex County recycling coordinator for the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority. “Programs like this show how partnerships can create real environmental benefits for our communities.”