Regional Science Consortium Launches New Clean Marinas Initiative with Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling Event
Source: Erie News Now
June 10th, 2025
The Regional Science Consortium (RSC), in partnership with the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, has launched a new Clean Marinas initiative, starting with a Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling Program.
June 10th, 2025
The Regional Science Consortium (RSC), in partnership with the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, has launched a new Clean Marinas initiative, starting with a Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling Program.
Public Event: See the Clean Marinas Initiative in Action, the community is invited to witness the initiative firsthand:
When: Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 1:15pm
Where: Parking area south of the Port Authoritys Boatyard, between the Sloppy Duck restaurant and Perry’s Landing Marina, Erie.
Firelands Local Ramps Up Ohio Shrink Wrap Recycling Program to Transform Waste into Resources
Firelands Local, based in Norwalk, Ohio, is excited to announce the local expansion of the Ohio Shrink Wrap Recycling Program, a major step toward sustainability. “The program addresses the overwhelming amount of shrink wrap waste generated by boats and other industries—much of which currently ends up in landfills,” says James Johnson, Manager of Firelands Local and head of the recycling program. “By recycling shrink wrap, we can transform waste into valuable products, benefiting both the environment and local communities.”
To support this initiative, Firelands Local has teamed up with the Ohio Shrink Wrap Program, Ohio EPA, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Sea Grant, to name a few, to acquire a new recycling truck, box truck, and collection bins, to help grow and streamline the process. “We’re calling on our boating community and beyond to partner with us as collection sites and help to solve Ohio’s shrink wrap problem,” adds Johnson.
In a key collaboration, Firelands Local has partnered with Hahn Advertising of Cleveland, Ohio. Nicole Hahn and her team will lead efforts to manage community and corporate partnerships while expanding collection sites across the state. “Joining this vital environmental effort to protect our land and lakes is an honor,” says Hahn, President of Hahn Advertising, and program outreach manager. “We’re calling on the community to support this crucial initiative.”
Hahn adds, “This program is a pivotal step toward sustainability. By recycling shrink wrap, we are not just reducing waste but also transforming it into useful products, such as guardrail blocks for Ohio’s highways. This initiative creates jobs and keeps massive amounts of plastic out of our lakes and rivers.”
Firelands Local, is seeking boat dealerships, marinas, and businesses to serve as collection sites and provide corporate support in order to grow the program. Interested businesses are encouraged to get involved to create a network of convenient recycling collection and drop off points for the shrink wrap waste. For more information on the program and how to get involved, contact Nicole Hahn at Hahn Advertising via nhahn@hahnadvertising.com.
About Firelands Local: Firelands Local provides meaningful work for adults with developmental disabilities through a variety of services, including Assembly & Packaging, Document Destruction, Personnel, and Courier Services. In addition to the Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling Program, Firelands is committed to creating positive community and environmental impact through innovative programs and partnerships. Visit firelandslocal.com
The Shore Line Podcast: Firelands Local Boat Wrap Recycling
The SHORE Line Podcast brought in two guests to talk about something you never really think about but is just “the right thing to do.”
Joining us on the podcast are Nichole Hahn from Hahn Advertising and James Johnson of Firelands Local. Together, they educate us on a Boat Wrap Recycling Program that allows Firelands Local, a Norwalk company that creates meaningful jobs for adults with developmental disabilities, to save 80,000 lbs annually of discarded shrink wrap and recycle it into guardrail blocks which line Ohio’s roadways.
Many boaters winterize their boats by covering them in plastic and each spring a bunch of waste heads to the landfill. This meaningful program helps protect our waters and reduce plastic pollution.
Learn how you, your business, or your marina can become a part of the movement at FirelandsLocal.com.
Joining us on the podcast are Nichole Hahn from Hahn Advertising and James Johnson of Firelands Local. Together, they educate us on a Boat Wrap Recycling Program that allows Firelands Local, a Norwalk company that creates meaningful jobs for adults with developmental disabilities, to save 80,000 lbs annually of discarded shrink wrap and recycle it into guardrail blocks which line Ohio’s roadways.
Many boaters winterize their boats by covering them in plastic and each spring a bunch of waste heads to the landfill. This meaningful program helps protect our waters and reduce plastic pollution.
Learn how you, your business, or your marina can become a part of the movement at FirelandsLocal.com.
Newsletter: October 10, 2024
What a busy week it was. Production is in high gear. We are currently working on 6 different jobs for 4 different companies. That does not include shredding and boat wrap.
We processed nearly 30,000 pounds of paper, cardboard and boat wrap last week as well.
Last week we announced our program to collect and recycle yard signs. This is a picture of the bin you should be looking for when you drop off your unwanted signs.
Stay safe and enjoy the weather.
James
We processed nearly 30,000 pounds of paper, cardboard and boat wrap last week as well.
Last week we announced our program to collect and recycle yard signs. This is a picture of the bin you should be looking for when you drop off your unwanted signs.
Stay safe and enjoy the weather.
James
Newsletter: September 30, 2024
It is hard to believe that October will be here tomorrow.
Election time is right around the corner.
Speaking of elections, I am sure you have seen lots of signs showing up yards for many candidates. Some people may already be counting down the days until those signs are gone. Have you ever said to yourself “what happens to all those signs?” Ok, maybe I am the only one. The good news is that Firelands Local can recycle those signs. We process them just as we do all the boat wrap and shrink wrap. Eventually it becomes guardrail blocks that are used all over the state of Ohio.
Please scan the QR code on the flyer to see where your closest drop off location is.
Have a great week!
Speaking of elections, I am sure you have seen lots of signs showing up yards for many candidates. Some people may already be counting down the days until those signs are gone. Have you ever said to yourself “what happens to all those signs?” Ok, maybe I am the only one. The good news is that Firelands Local can recycle those signs. We process them just as we do all the boat wrap and shrink wrap. Eventually it becomes guardrail blocks that are used all over the state of Ohio.
Please scan the QR code on the flyer to see where your closest drop off location is.
Have a great week!
