Fall is here, and in Maine, we’re beginning to see our boats being covered with shrink wrap to protect them for the winter. This season, however, there’s a subtle change happening near our waterfronts — the shrink wrap itself is changing.
Shrink wrap is traditionally installed to protect boats throughout the harsh winter months. Yet, when it’s removed in the spring, its recyclability is limited for a variety of reasons, often resulting in hundreds of thousands of pounds ending up in landfills.
This year, though, you may notice the color of the wrap on boats shifting from the usual white to a pale light green. This new color likely indicates the use of “biowrap,” a biodegradable shrink wrap that reportedly breaks down and decomposes within two to five years in landfills.
What makes this biowrap environmentally friendly is its composition. The components attract landfill microorganisms that consume the material completely, leaving no microplastics behind. Essentially, the microbe meal is complete, resulting in a much lower environmental impact.
Next time you’re near Spring Point or Port Harbor Marine, take a moment to observe the growing field of pale green shrink wrap. It serves as a hopeful sign of increasing environmental responsibility within the boating community.
Kudos to those making the switch to more sustainable boat protection!
https://www.centralmaine.com/2025/10/21/maines-subtle-but-significant-change-in-boat-winterization-letter/
