The business of boating depends on a healthy ocean. RIMTA has created programs and partnered with leading environmental organizations to give marine businesses clear guidelines on steps they can take to run a greener operation.
Shrink Wrap Program
RIMTA was among the first in the country to begin a collection program to recycle shrink wrap used by marinas and boat yards.
Historically shrink wrap has been sent to landfills once it has been removed from a boat. RIMTA’s partnership with a regional material hauler/recycling firm provides an environmentally viable and economically practical option for the collection, processing and repurposing of the discarded shrink-wrap from our members across Rhode Island.
RIMTA members are able to participate in the program by purchasing ‘shrink wrap bags’ to collect their shrink wrap material. Each bag can hold up to 40 lbs of shrink wrap material and will be picked up from your facility at no additional cost.
In 2018 and 2019, this industry wide effort diverted almost 70,000 pounds of discarded shrink wrap away from landfills.
Are you a boatyard or marina interested in participating in the shrink wrap program?
Do you need to order shrink wrap bags?
Do you need to schedule a pick-up of your shrink wrap bags?
Please contact Jen Huber (email/401-396-9619)
Clean Marina Program
The Clean Marina Program is a voluntary initiative designed to reward marinas that go beyond regulatory requirements by applying innovative best management practices for pollution prevention to their regular operations. RIMTA collaborated with the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), industry representatives, the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center (CRC), and Rhode Island Sea Grant on the first program overhaul since 2006 .
Since the 2006 update, five marinas have undertaken the program, which provides education and the support of a cohort to participants who learn basic science concerning coastal environments, engage with experts who lead discussion and dialogue about pollution issues specific to the marina industry, and share the information with their own members and stakeholders. While the focus of the program is clean marina policy and practice, participating businesses will also have access to information about other key issues, including climate change and resilience building.
Read a story here about how RIMTA member New England Boatworks earned the Clean Marina distinction.
Click here for the RI Clean Marina Checklist 2020-2021
Become a Zero Plastics Marina
Did you know that eight million tons of plastic are dumped into the ocean every year? At this rate, the ocean will contain more plastic than fish by 2050.
The R.I. Department of Environmental Management in partnership with RIMTA and marina operators launched a local initiative in 2018 to keep plastics out of Narragansett Bay and off our coastlines. The Zero Plastics Marina Initiative is a voluntary effort where marinas will prevent pollution, encourage recycling, educate and clean the coastline by keeping plastics out of the ocean.
Click here for a list of 10 pollution-prevention steps you can take to be a Zero Plastics Marina. This initiative is a great first step toward running a greener operation.
If you’d like to learn more about marine debris and how the RI-based organization Clean Ocean Access has worked with marine companies on this issue, read our story here.