a series of monofilamnt recycling bins
a series of monofilamnt recycling bins

Fishing Line Recycling Matters

Each year, more than 100,000 marine mammals die from ingesting debris or becoming entangled in fishing lines, nets, and other types of derelict fishing gear. You can do your part to stop this by recycling your fishing line.

Fishing line, regardless of what type, can cause serious damage when disposed of improperly. It can harm boats, kill wildlife, and foul boat propellers. These problems stem from the fact that fishing line isn’t biodegradable. Instead, it can remain in the marine environment for over 600 years. That’s more than six centuries of potential damage to boats, wildlife, and the environment.

Do Your Part By Recycling Your Fishing Gear

As outdoor enthusiasts, we have an obligation to take care of the marine environments we love. Not just for ourselves, but for future generations to enjoy as well.

You can do your part to protect these environments by properly disposing of your recreational fishing gear. Thankfully, doing this is becoming easier and easier. Many boat ramps and marinas now have on-site fishing line recycling containers. That means you may be able to protect your favorite fishing spot by taking just a few extra steps.

If your area doesn’t have a recycling container for fishing line, that’s not an excuse to throw your gear in the dumpster. Doing so would threaten animals who live on land. Instead, try to visit a local fishing store. Many of them have monofilament recycling containers available for public use.

Take Ownership By Building Your Own Fishing Line Recycling Location

Protecting the marine environments we love depends on local action. It takes the community to impact these issues in ways that will last. BoatUS Foundation is committed to making it easier for people like you to step up and take ownership of their own fishing line recycling location.

In 2007, we launched our Reel In and Recycle program with grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the NOAA’s Marine Debris Program. Since then, we’ve helped volunteers build more than 13,000 recycling bins for recreational fishing gear. These bins have enabled anglers across the country to safely dispose of more than 20,000 miles (and counting) of fishing line.

If you’ve noticed a lack of fishing line recycling containers in your area, now is the perfect time to take action. Building your own fishing line recycling bin is incredibly easy. We’ve even created a step-by-step video guide to show you how to do it.

Get in touch with us if you have any questions about this process. We’re happy to provide you with the support that you need to get started. Together, we can make a real difference by making fishing line recycling the new normal.