The Commercial and Industrial Flexible Film Recycling Organization (CIFFRO) has begun Minnesota’s boat wrap recycling stewardship program, with collection sites throughout the state.
The program, Wrap Recycle Right, provides free collection, transportation, reuse, recycling and disposal of boat wrap, used to protect a vessel from damage caused by moisture and other elements during storage.
An interactive map shows public collection sites and temporary collection events, and as the program grows it will add drop-off locations and more events. Wrap Recycle Right has also created guidance for preparing boat wrap for recycling.
Local marinas, shrink wrappers and other organizations can contact Wrap Recycle Right to pilot a collection site this year.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency provides program oversight and will maintain an online list of compliant producers and brands.
The nation’s first boat wrap product stewardship law went into effect in September 2025, and requires that at least 50% of all boat wrap sold in Minnesota be collected and recycled by June 1, 2030, and at least 80% by June 1, 2035.
In its first year the program aims to collect 200,000 pounds of boat wrap and provide education for boat owners on proper wrap removal and drop-off locations, among other priorities.
Of the state’s 87 counties, priorities for the first year are:
- Twin Cities suburbs: Dakota, Scott, Carver and Washington, bordering the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers, with large affluent populations and high rates of recreational boating
- Northern Minnesota lake country: Becker, Otter Tail, Beltrami and Hubbard, containing one of the highest concentrations of lakes in the US, including Lake Bemidji, and Leech Lake at the headwaters of the Mississippi.
In year two, the collection goal doubles to 400,000 pounds, and may add priority counties, such as Hennepin, Ramsey, Cass, St. Louis, Pope, Douglas and Itasca. In addition, wrap recycling should become a more familiar part of seasonal storage for boat owners due to education and outreach efforts, and participant feedback will help the organization continue to improve the program.
Current CIFFRO members include Bioaqualife, Dr. Shrink, Farm Plastic Supply, Poly-America / Husky Marine and Transhield.
Seven states so far have passed EPR legislation for packaging, with some allowing stewardship for more challenging materials that are not collected curbside, such as containers for petroleum products and agricultural plastics.
