This Conservation Corner article is written by INWC member Ken McNaughton, M.F., who chairs our Fishing Committee. Ken shares an important conservation practice that many anglers may not be aware of—one that can make a significant difference for wildlife and our aquatic environments with just a small change in how we dispose of used fishing line.
Recycling Fishing Line is Conservation
The first thing to know about recycling old line is the fishing line types that can be collected. The only recyclable and, therefore, the most eco-friendly fishing line is a single-filament, nylon product like monofilament or fluorocarbon—even if it’s colored fishing line. Monofilament is a strong, single-strand plastic line—and the most common type among anglers. Fluorocarbon is a single strand of polyvinylidene fluoride.
In a landfill, these types of lines won’t break down over time, so they can pose problems for birds and animals who get tied up in them. That’s why it’s great that they can be recycled. Other lines, like braided or fused types, can’t be recycled, but there are still ways to handle these discarded lines to minimize their impact on the environment.
Finding a Collection Station
Once you know that your line can be recycled, it’s important to understand that you can’t place it in your home recycling bin. Instead, you need to find a designated collection station. In cooperation with the Region 1 office of WDFW, the INWC, several years ago, installed 39 monofilament recycle stations at 31 area lakes managed by WDFW. Many INWC volunteers helped make this project a success.
If you don’t know where to find one, contact the Area Water Access Manager at WDFW. Or check popular places that accept old line in marked bins placed either inside or outside, including bait and tackle shops, boat ramps, fishing piers, and fishing access points.
Preparing Your Line for Recycling
Keep in mind that only the line itself can be recycled. That means you have to remove any hooks or lures before you place the line in a bin. It’s also essential to make sure the line doesn’t have a lot of plant material or other growth on it before putting it in a collection facility.
Create Your Own Collection Site
If you don’t have a collection site anywhere near you for old fishing line, you can create your own! You can build a bin just like the ones at our established stations with 4 inch PVC and supplies from your local hardware store.
Recycling fishing line is one of those simple conservation actions that carries tremendous importance. Discarded monofilament and fluorocarbon lines can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, entangling birds, mammals, and aquatic life with devastating consequences. By taking a few extra moments to properly dispose of old fishing line at designated recycling stations, anglers directly protect the wildlife and natural spaces we all cherish. Through the INWC’s partnership with WDFW, we’ve made it easier than ever for our fishing community to be part of the solution. Every spool of recycled line represents countless animals spared from injury or death—making this truly one of the most impactful conservation practices any angler can adopt.