Cape Cod Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling Program Continues Regional Impact
Published on: May 18, 2026
Boat shrink wrap may protect vessels during the winter, but each boat can leave behind nearly 30 pounds of plastic waste every season. Thanks to a regional recycling effort coordinated through Barnstable County’s Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, that material is getting a second life instead of ending up in the landfill.
In 2025 alone, more than 67 tons of boat shrink wrap were recycled through collection depots across Cape Cod — transforming what was once waste into reusable plastic products.
Participating collection locations include Bourne, Chatham, Eastham, Falmouth, and Wellfleet through July 31, 2026.
This recent video report by Cape Cod News and reporter Teresa Martin highlights how the program has grown into a regional and national model for marine recycling and sustainability.
