| Q: What is
monofilament? |
Q: The line I
use becomes brittle after a week in the sun – how can it be an
environmental problem? |
| A: Most
fishing line used today is monofilament – a strong, flexible plastic
fishing line (which is manufactured as a single strand) |
A: The
sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause fishing line to be become brittle
and break easily. However, UV rays cannot penetrate very far into the water, so
line that is underwater or in the shade will not be broken down by UV. |
|
|
Q: I throw my
fishing line in the garbage –
is that OK? |
Q: How
is monofilament harmful?
|
| A: Even
line that is thrown in the garbage may end up in the environment –
birds, small mammals or even wind can pull line out of the garage can or
landfill. If you throw
fishing line away, it is best to cut it into short pieces (less then
12”) first. |
A: Birds
and animals cannot see the line, so it is easy for them to become tangled
in it. Then they may starve,
drown, or lose a limb. Some
animals accidentally eat fishing line and cannot digest it.
Line can wrap around boat propellers causing damage. |
|
|
| Q: How
can I recycle my used fishing line?
|
Q: What
happens to fishing line that is
put in the outdoor collection bins? |
| A: Look
for outdoor (PVC) containers at boat
ramps, fishing piers, parks, etc. Ask your local tackle shop if they recycle fishing line.
If not, encourage them to call (877) 777-3850 ext. 8419 and ask for
a free, postage paid monofilament recycling box.
|
A:
The line is collected (often by volunteers) and is taken to a store that
has a monofilament recycling box. The
recycling boxes are shipped off for recycling when full. |
|
|
| Q: How
is fishing line recycled?
|
Q: Who
does the recycling? |
| A: The
used line is chopped up, melted, and used to manufacture small plastic
pellets, which are then used in the manufacture of new plastic
fishing-related products (like tackle boxes and freshwater artificial fish
habitats)
|
A: Pure
Fishing, the parent company of Berkley, in Sprit Lake, Iowa is currently
the only place that recycles used fishing line.
Fishing line cannot be recycled in curbside bins. |
