NEW JERSEY – The Lake Hopatcong Foundation, Roxbury Township Clean Communities & Recycling, the Morris County and Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authorities, and Ultra-Poly have announced that their joint effort on the Morris and Sussex Counties Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling program has been honored with the Outstanding Achievement in Recycling award from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
This recognition was presented by the NJDEP Bureau of Sustainability at the Association of New Jersey Recyclers’ (ANJR) annual fall symposium on Oct. 23, in Neptune.
For nearly a decade, boat owners and marinas in Morris County were able to recycle boat shrink wrap—a non-biodegradable material that otherwise ends up in landfills. However, rising costs and logistical challenges led to the program’s discontinuation in 2020.
A collaborative effort relaunched the program on Lake Hopatcong in 2023, providing a sustainable option for boat owners. In its first year, the program recycled more than 16,000 pounds (8 tons) of shrink wrap. In 2024, the program expanded to include a Sussex County location, recycling more than 38,000 pounds (19 tons)—more than double the previous year’s collection.
“We are deeply grateful to the ANJR for recognizing the hard work and dedication that went into this program,” said Kyle Richter, executive director of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation. “We are incredibly thankful to our partners, the marinas, and community members whose support made this initiative possible. Their collaboration has been the driving force behind its success, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the future.”
The program is free for participants, with Ultra-Poly covering all collection, transport, and recycling costs. Ultra-Poly processes the shrink wrap into pellets, which are then used in products like composite lumber, packaging materials, storage containers, and planters.
“Ultra-Poly is honored to be part of this important recycling initiative,” said Ryan Miller, business development manager at Ultra-Poly. “We’re committed to continuing our role in this partnership and further contributing to environmental sustainability in New Jersey.”
Educating participants on proper recycling practices has been a key component of the program’s success. Program partners provided clear guidelines to ensure only clean materials were recycled, preventing contamination that could undermine the recycling process. This step is vital, as clean, high-quality materials allow the shrink wrap to be effectively repurposed, reducing waste and supporting the production of new items in a sustainable, closed-loop cycle.
“We are thrilled to be part of such a meaningful environmental program by preventing this material from ending up in landfills and giving it a second chance in life,” said Kellie Ann Keys, recycling coordinator for Roxbury Township Clean Communities and Recycling. “This award highlights the power of collaboration between municipalities, private companies, and environmental organizations to achieve a common goal of reducing waste and promoting sustainability.”
“We are excited to see the success of this recycling initiative and its impact in reducing waste,” 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, and we look forward to expanding the program.”
“We’re proud to contribute to this important program,” said Dawn Latincsics, recycling coordinator for the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority. “The success we’ve seen so far shows what can be accomplished when organizations work together to tackle environmental challenges.”
Looking ahead, the partnership remains committed to growing the boat shrink wrap recycling program in 2025 and beyond, continuing to reduce waste and foster environmental stewardship in New Jersey.
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