Summary

• Free drop-off events on the Sunshine Coast this June and July will give dock owners a place to safely dispose of polystyrene materials, as part of implementing B.C.’s new Coastal Marine Strategy
• A barge will be available for a select number of remote properties that cannot deliver foam to drop-off events
• The initiative is intended to reduce marine pollution and support dock owners in meeting dock management plan objectives

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Dock owners on the Sunshine Coast will soon have somewhere to safely and responsibly dispose of aging Styrofoam dock materials.

The Government of B.C., in partnership with shíshálh Nation and the Ocean Legacy Foundation, is supporting free disposal for polystyrene foam. Drop-off events are being planned in select areas in the lower Sunshine Coast  in June and July 2026, with specific locations to be announced this spring. Limited remote servicing by barge will be available for selected dock owners.

“Materials from deteriorating docks pose a serious and ongoing risk to marine ecosystems when they degrade or break apart,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “We’re notifying dock owners about this opportunity now, so they have time to prepare and work with us to dispose of materials safely. Together, we’re reducing marine pollution while supporting dock management plan objectives and protecting the waters we all love and depend on.”

Specific dates, locations and eligibility details for the drop-off events and any barge-based collection will be shared in early May using newspaper and radio ads, community posters, social media and email. Participating residents will be required to pre-register before drop-off.

“Protecting the health of our waters is a responsibility that has guided shíshálh people since time immemorial,” said hiwus (Chief) kwa’saʔlahuet, Warren Paull. “Deteriorating dock materials, particularly exposed polystyrene foam, pose a real risk to marine life and the long-term well-being of the shíshálh swiya. We are pleased to work in partnership with the Province of B.C. and the Ocean Legacy Foundation on practical solutions that help dock owners do the right thing. Initiatives like this support cleaner, healthier marine ecosystems and reflect our ongoing commitment to stewardship for future generations.”

Reducing marine pollution on the Sunshine Coast

B.C. has committed $240,000 to the shíshálh Nation to expand coastal cleanup during the next three years, including disposing of polystyrene materials from private docks within the shíshálh swiya. This is part of the provincial government’s broader efforts to implement priority actions under the Coastal Marine Strategy, which was released in 2024.

Work will be carried out by the Ocean Legacy Foundation in collaboration with shíshálh Nation and others. The Ocean Legacy Foundation is a Canadian non-profit organization with extensive experience in marine-debris recovery and polystyrene management.

“Working alongside the shíshálh Nation and the Government of British Columbia on this pilot is an important step toward preventing dock and foam pollution from harming coastal ecosystems and communities,” said Chloé Dubois, co-founder and executive director, Ocean Legacy Foundation. “By creating practical pathways for responsible collection, recycling and disposal, we can turn a growing problem into a collaborative solution for this region of the B.C. coast.”

Polystyrene, often used in older floating docks, can fragment over time due to wave action, ultraviolet exposure and wear. These fragments are a recognized source of marine pollution and can persist in the environment for decades.

This pilot initiative is designed to:

• reduce marine pollution
• prevent the breakdown of exposed dock foam into microplastics
• support dock owners in meeting shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan objectives

Future needs can be determined based on the event outcomes this summer.

About shíshálh Nation:

shíshálh Nation is a governing entity dedicated to stewarding and protecting the relationship between the shíshálh people and the lands and resources of their swiya (birthplace, land, “territory”). They carry out this work in ways that enhance their way of life, promote self-sufficiency, and uphold our customary laws, Rights and Titles, international legal standards and common law. The swiya of the shíshálh people lies between Queens Reach in lekw’emin (Jervis Inlet) and Howe Sound on the south coast of British Columbia. The shíshálh people come from four main tribes: sxixus (with main village at kalpilin), ts’unay (with main village at ts’unay), xenichen (with main village at the head of lekw’emin), and tewankw (with main village at slhalt). Learn more by visiting: shishalh.com

Quick Facts:

• B.C. and shíshálh Nation have a shared commitment to completing joint work in the foreshore, and helping provide predictability and transparency for dock owners.
• To promote responsible and appropriate dock development in shíshálh swiya, a dock management plan was developed.

Learn More:

• B.C.’s Coastal Marine Strategy: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/water/bc-coastal-marine-strategy
• Learn more about shíshálh Nation by visiting: shishalh.com