The Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), in collaboration with Charter Next Generation (CNG), Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO), Chicago Harbors, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), LRS (Lakeshore Recycling Systems), and Myplas USA, have joined forces to implement a pilot project through CGLR’s Circular Great Lakes initiative and AEPW’s US Cities Transformation Flagship initiative to help marinas in Chicago and Lake County recover and recycle boat shrink wrap and keep this valuable plastic film out of landfills.
The Great Lakes, one the largest freshwater systems in the world, is a beautiful and vast natural resource, making it a top destination for sailors and boaters. Because of the region’s climate, however, winterizing recreational boats is a must, which requires millions of pounds of valuable plastic film to be used as boat wrap in order to safely protect these vessels, material that is almost universally landfilled every spring. Building on lessons learned in Ohio and Michigan, as well as along the East Coast, this multi-year pilot project will bring the plastic value chain together with state agencies, local marina partners, and boaters to close the loop and create a Great Lakes circular economy for boat shrink wrap film.
During this event, the media will learn about plastic waste and pollution in the Great Lakes region in advance of Earth Day and see first hand how the boat shrink wrap recovery pilot program is trialing a new approach to collecting boat shrink wrap, recycling it, and giving this material a new life in new plastic products; an approach that will create both economic and environmental benefits for the region. Speakers at the event will include representatives from Chicago Harbors, the Council of the Great Lakes Region, and the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County.
What: Chicago and Lake County Boat Wrap Collection Pilot Press Event
When: April 21, 2023 at 3 pm
Where: Montrose Harbor, 601 W Montrose Drive, Chicago, IL 60613