How to Dispose of Fishing Line Safely

How to dispose of fishing line matters more than it seems. Old line does not break down for a very long time, and loose loops left on a bank or dropped in an open trash can end up wrapped around birds, turtles and boat propellers. It also causes trouble at recycling plants, where long strands tangle the sorting machines. The good news is that the fix is simple: recycle clean monofilament in a dedicated bin, and cut everything else into short pieces before it goes in a closed trash bag. Here is how to handle each kind of line and the tackle that comes with it.

The quick answer

• Monofilament: put it in a fishing line recycling bin at a pier, boat ramp, marina or tackle shop, or a mail-in program if one is available to you.
• Braid, fluorocarbon and anything you can’t recycle: cut it into short pieces, about a foot or less, and put it in a bag or lidded container in the trash.
• Never put line in your curbside recycling cart. It wraps around sorting equipment.
• Never leave it on the ground or toss it in the water.
• Hooks and lures: reuse or donate good ones; cover sharp points before trashing the rest. Lead sinkers go to a household hazardous waste site or a scrap yard that takes lead.

Why fishing line needs care

Nylon monofilament and the other plastics used in fishing line are built to be strong and resist weather, which is great on the water and bad in the environment. A tangle of line in the open can snag wildlife for years. Birds pick it up for nests, and animals that get wrapped can be injured or drown. Even line thrown in an uncovered can at a park may blow out or be pulled out by gulls and raccoons. Cutting it short and keeping it contained removes most of that risk.

Recycling monofilament

Clean monofilament is the one type that is widely recycled, but only through dedicated programs, not household recycling.

1. Look for an outdoor collection bin. Many state wildlife agencies, park systems, marinas and volunteer groups set up tube-shaped bins, often made of PVC pipe, at piers, jetties, ramps and fishing access sites. They are usually labeled for monofilament only.
2. Ask at a tackle or outdoor store. Some shops keep a collection box by the counter or know where the nearest bin is.
3. Check for a mail-in option. Some line makers and conservation groups have run mail-in recycling programs. Confirm the program is still running and what it accepts before you ship anything.

Before you drop line in a bin, pull out hooks, swivels, sinkers, bait and weeds. Leave the line loose or loosely wound, and keep spools and packaging out unless the program says they are accepted. Bins are serviced by people who sort by hand, so a buried hook is a real hazard to them.

Putting line in the trash safely

When there is no bin nearby, the trash is the right place, as long as you prepare it first:

1. Cut the line into short lengths, roughly 12 inches or less, so it cannot form a big loop.
2. Put the pieces in a sealed bag, an empty bottle with a cap, or a small container with a lid.
3. Place that in a trash can with a lid, at home if possible rather than an open bin at the water.

A handy habit is to carry a small container in the boat or tackle bag, such as an empty tennis ball can or a peanut butter jar, and stuff used line into it as you go. Empty it at home or into a recycling bin at the end of the day.

Braid, fluorocarbon and wire leaders

• Braided line is woven from synthetic fibers and is not accepted by most monofilament bins. Cut it short and bag it for the trash.
• Fluorocarbon is a different plastic from nylon mono. Some programs take it and many do not, so read the bin label or call first. When in doubt, trash it the safe way.
• Wire leaders are metal. Small amounts can go to a scrap metal bin if your local yard or drop-off takes mixed small scrap; otherwise coil and bag them for the trash.
• Fly lines and backing are coated or braided and are generally treated like braid.

Hooks, lures, sinkers and spools

• Hooks: stick loose hooks into a cork or piece of foam, or put them in a small rigid container with a lid, then trash it. That protects sanitation workers.
• Lures: working lures are easy to give away to youth fishing programs, friends or swap groups. Broken ones go in the trash with the hooks covered.
• Lead sinkers and jigs: keep lead out of the trash where you can. Many household hazardous waste programs take it, and some scrap yards accept lead. Our household hazardous waste guide explains how to find a drop-off.
• Empty spools and packaging: a few line recycling programs take spools; otherwise check your local plastics rules or reuse them for storage.

Getting rid of other gear at the same time? See our guides to old life jackets and kayaks, or search the map for a nearby recycling center or transfer station.

Picking up line you find

If you see tangled line on a shoreline, pier or in a tree, removing it is one of the easiest ways to help. Wear gloves, watch for hooks, and cut it free rather than yanking it out of branches. Clean monofilament can go in a recycling bin; dirty or mixed line goes into a bag for the trash. If an animal is tangled, do not try to free a large bird or turtle yourself; contact your state wildlife agency or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Fishing line disposal FAQ

Can fishing line go in the recycling bin?

Not in curbside recycling. Line wraps around sorting machines. Clean monofilament can go in a dedicated fishing line recycling bin or program instead.

Where can I recycle old fishing line?

Look for line recycling bins at piers, boat ramps, marinas and fishing access sites, or ask a tackle shop. Some groups and makers have run mail-in programs, so confirm one is active first.

How do I throw away fishing line safely?

Cut it into pieces about a foot long or less, put them in a sealed bag or lidded container, and place it in a trash can with a lid.

Can braided fishing line be recycled?

Most monofilament bins do not take braid. Cut braided line short, bag it and put it in the trash unless a program says it accepts braid.

What should I do with old fishing hooks?

Reuse or give away good ones. Stick loose hooks in a cork or put them in a small lidded container before they go in the trash.

How do I get rid of lead fishing sinkers?

Keep them out of the trash where possible. Many household hazardous waste programs accept lead, and some scrap yards take it.

The bottom line

How to dispose of fishing line comes down to two choices. Clean monofilament goes in a dedicated line recycling bin or program. Everything else, including braid and dirty line, gets cut into short pieces, bagged and put in a lidded trash can. Keep line out of curbside recycling and out of the water, cover hooks before they go in the trash, and take lead sinkers to a hazardous waste or scrap drop-off.