Fishing line, beyond its original purpose, can wreak all sorts of havoc. Once made of natural fibers, most fishing line is now strong monofilament that’s non-biodegradable. And that gives it a second life as a dangerous weapon.

Thin and virtually transparent, fishing line is tough to see. Wild animals that get tangled in or swallow the line can drown, suffocate or starve. Pets can also ingest fishing line, particularly if hooks contain traces of bait, and treatment often requires surgery. Even fishing line that is tossed in the trash can be scavenged by birds and wind up in nests.

Don’t try to recycle fishing line like other products. Instead, drop it off at a tackle shop that can process it properly, or discard it in a designated recycling box. Either way, you’ll be safely removing a lethal leftover.