Irish Boat Shop has expanded participation from Traverse City, adding its Charlevoix and Harbor Springs locations, to host a 3-shop “Shrink Wrap Recycle Day” on Saturday, May 17 from 9 AM – 12 PM. This event gives area boaters the opportunity to sustainably dispose of the bundles of plastic shrink wrap that would otherwise go into dumpsters and landfills. Though shrink wrap is an important tool to protect boats during winter months, Spring gives boaters the ideal opportunity as they prepare to launch their boats for the season, to collect the plastic material for recycling at Irish Boat Shop.

“It is important to be part of the solution,” says Colin Texter, GM of Irish Boat Shop, Traverse City, and grandson of Irish Boat Shop’s founder, Dave Irish. “I am proud to carry on the third-generation tradition of being a steward of the environment, protecting the qualities that make Northern Michigan a special place. The entire boating community is invited and everyone will see the value as we provide them with the recycling bags, assist them in properly preparing and bagging the shrink wrap. It’s a win-win for the community and the marine industry,” he adds.

Irish Boat Shop has teamed with Dr. Shrink, Inc., a Northern Michigan headquartered company, and a primary international supplier for shrink wrap to supply the FREE recycling bags. President Mike Stenberg comments, “Irish Boat Shop is a very progressive organization and was one of our first customers in the Charlevoix area,back in 1987 when I began shrink wrapping in Northern Michigan. Now, I am excited to have them promoting our 10+ year Recycling Run at their stores.”

Irish Boat Shop is also coordinating with the Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) to coordinate bundling, pickup and shipping off for recycling and the Bay Area Recycling for Community for processing. Michigan has been a leader in the national effort to recycle shrink wrap in an ongoing effort to protect the beautiful waters of the Great Lakes.

“We recycled over 75,000 pounds of plastic just last year with Dr. Shrink’s Recycle Run program and we are shooting for 100,000 pounds this year,” says Andrew Gale, founder of Bay Area Recycling for Community, “We are very excited to work with Irish Boat Shop to expand participation—we are looking forward to more success and more and larger events in the coming years. It’s companies like Irish Boat Shop that will help enlighten people on the easy steps to recycle their winter shrink wrap covers and keep this premium material out of landfills.”

According to the MRC, film plastics are not biodegradable and contribute significant mass to Michigan landfills. For every bag recycled, 115 kWh of energy, 13.5 gallons of oil and 16-20 cubic feet of landfill space are saved from each bag recycled. Just last year, the 47,000 cubic feet of land fill space was saved through the Recycle Run!

"I am thrilled to help coordinate the recycling program, as it empowers businesses and local boaters to be a part of the remedy process,” says Jillian Plant, Project Coordinator with the MRC, “I'm grateful to the Michigan Recycling Coalition for the opportunity to engage with the boating industry as we all work to help keep the Great Lakes clean!"

Much of the recycled material is used by Trex®, a company that offers eco-friendly composite decks from ablend of up to 95% recycled plastic film and reclaimed sawdust, in an earth-friendly manufacturing process. Trex offers consumers an environmentally responsible choice in decking by reclaiming factory waste and eliminating the use of harmful chemicals. Some of the material is also used as support for drywall construction.

The Shrink Wrap Recycle Day will offer FREE recycling bags, courtesy of Dr. Shrink and Irish Boat Shop, and will feature refreshments and assistance with properly preparing and bagging the shrink wrap. Mike Stenberg, Andy Gale and members of the Irish Boat Shop team will all participate and welcome area boaters to bring in their shrink wrap to 988 W Commerce Drive, Traverse City, MI 49685, 13000 Stover Road, Charlevoix, MI 49720 or 400 Bay Street, Harbor Springs MI 49740. For any questions, please call 231 242 1922 and for more general information visit www.irishboatshop.com 

About Irish Boat Shop:

For over 60 years, Irish Boat Shop has provided comprehensive boat sales and marina services, including repair, restoration, dockage and storage with locations in Harbor Springs and Charlevoix, Michigan. Additionally, it maintains a dedicated sales, service and storage facility in Traverse City, Michigan. An authorized dealer of premium boat brands like Boston Whaler, Nautique, Chaparral, Premium Pontoons, J Boats, RS Sailing and Zodiac, the Boat Shop also brokers preowned boats. A certified “Clean Marina” and service center for Hinkley Yachts in the Great Lakes, Irish Boat Shop is committed to excellence and environmental stewardship in the marine industry.