In March 2011, Boy Scout Troop 202 launched the state of Indiana’s first Monofilament Fishing Line Recycling program at the Carmel-Clay Parks. Monofilament line is single-strand, high density, nylon fishing line used on fishing reels and in the manufacturing of fishing nets. The Monofilament Recovery and Recycling program is an effort to educate the public about the problems caused when monofilament line is left in the environment, to encourage recycling through a network of recycling locations convenient to fishing areas, and to conduct volunteer cleanup events.

Recycling containers that look like this can be found near fishing areas in our Carmel Clay Parks. If you are fishing in the parks, be sure to collect any broken or unneeded line and place it in a container. If you are enjoying the park and happen to see someone else’s discarded line, place it in the container as well. Thank you Boy Scout Troop 202!

The project involved installing fishing line recycling units at the seven Carmel Clay Parks with fishing ponds: Central Park, Flowing Well Park, Founders Park, Hazel Landing Park, Meadowlark Park, River Heritage Park and West Park.

Recycling fishing line is not driven by a large volume of material to re-use. Instead, the Boy Scouts urge members of the community to recognize that even a very small piece of discarded fishing line can cause harm.

The Scouts created this informative brochure to educate the public regarding the fishing line recycling program and its benefits. Copies of the brochure will be made available at the parks and at nearby fishing license application sites. Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation requires a fishing license in order to fish at any of the Carmel Clay Parks. Visit the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website for more detailed information.

The Scouts hope to heighten awareness of the negative impacts of fishing line debris on marine life and water, decrease the amount of fishing line entering and remaining in the natural environment, and increase the amount of fishing line being recycled.

The Carmel Boy Scouts discovered a need for the program after talking with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources staff. The Boy Scout troop has agreed to maintain and empty the bins, and mail the monofilament fishing line to be recycled.

Wildlife can be hurt in two ways by discarded monofilament fishing line: Wild animals might eat monofilament line and become sick, or starve because their stomach feels full, or they might become entangled in discarded line and drown, starve, or lose a limb in a slow and painful strangle hold.