Think Before You Shrink Wrap Your Boat
SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. November 3, 2026 - San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship and Plastic Free Salish Sea piloted a boat shrink wrap recycling effort this past year gathering wrappings from 36 small vessels. Team members then took to the runway at this year’s Trashion Fashion Show during the County Fair sporting wedding attire made from the boat shrink wrap and plastic film destined for recycling. Our message was simple, “Our society has been married to plastic for far too long!”
Often, we say “I do” to convenience while creating waste that can outlast us by decades. Boat shrink wrap may protect a vessel for just a few months, but plastic can persist in the environment for decades. The total boat wrap collected with the help of local businesses weighed .21 tons, nearly 500lbs or the equivalent of saving 74,000 plastic film bags.
There are better choices: reuse, reduce, and choose materials and systems that create less waste. Think before your shrink – your boat! If you must wrap your boat this year, consider recycling it instead of throwing it away. Local businesses who offer shrink wrapping are now able to use Boat Wrap Recycling Bags available through San Juan County’s Solid Waste Program. The cost of recycling is added into the wrapping service and paid upfront. Individual boaters who wish to recycle their own wrapping can purchase recycle bags and return them full to the County’s Operations Center on San Juan Island.
Want to purchase a Boat Wrap Recycling Bag? Call the Environmental Stewardship Department at: 360-762-5821
Relevant URLs:
Contact: Kari Koski, Derelict Vessel Program Coordinator, karik@sanjuancountywa.gov, 360-370-0599
Photo: San Juan County Fair Trashion Fashion Wedding Wrap Photo: Chase Anderson
About San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship
San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship is responsible for solid waste, marine resources, clean water, cultural resources, and climate and sustainability work. The department offices are located at 1609 Beaverton Valley Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/839/Environmental-Stewardship.
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