The St. Clair Shores Waterfront Environmental Committee with financial help from the Shorewood Kiwanis Club has brought the used monofilament “Fishing Line Recycling Program” to St. Clair Shores. The idea was brought to our committee by a St. Clair Shores resident, Jackie Girard and spearheaded by Peter McInnes who is a member of the committee.
Discarded monofilament fishing line can wreak havoc on the environment by entangling, injuring and killing birds and aquatic wildlife. It can also cost boaters thousands of dollars when it gets caught in boat propellers and other gear.
At the present time, the Waterfront Environmental Committee has installed the outdoor PVC recycle stations at three fishing locations in St. Clair Shores, the foot of Nine Mile Road, at the Blossom Heath park fishing pier and at the Veteran’s Memorial Park fishing area. Other collection sites will be selected in the future.
Since 1990, Berkley, a fishing supply manufacturer, has recycled over 100 million miles of fishing line discarded by fishermen. To date, over 15,000 recycling collection bins have been installed throughout the United States. Berkley melts the recycled line down into raw plastic pellets that can be made into other plastic products including tackle boxes, spools for line, fish habitats, and toys. It is not made into more monofilament line.
The recycle stations are made from white 6” PVC pipes which are 3’ tall. A sign that briefly describes the program is part of the recycle station. The recycle bins will be periodically cleaned out by the Lakeview High School Team Green volunteers. Join us in protecting our fish and wildlife, one line at a time!
