Trex Co. (Winchester, VA) is trying to get the word out to schools across the country that it's "easy being green." On November 15, in conjunction with America Recycles Day, Trex, a leading manufacturer of high-performance, low-maintenance outdoor decking and railing products, will kick off its annual Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge. The program is designed to encourage elementary, middle and high schools to collect plastic bags and other types of polyethylene for the chance to win Trex products for their schools.
"In addition to promoting fun, healthy competition, the Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge provides students with a better understanding and appreciation for the importance of recycling," said Stephanie Hicks, Material Resource Coordinator for Trex. "Last year, more than 430 schools from across the country participated and, together, collected more than 167,000 pounds of plastic film. Instead of going into landfills, that plastic waste was converted into beautiful Trex decking."
One of the largest recyclers of plastic in the United States, Trex uses more than 1.5 billion plastic bags to make its eco-friendly, wood-alternative outdoor living products each year. A standard 16-foot Trex board contains recycled material from approximately 2,250 plastic bags. In addition to plastic grocery and retail bags, Trex reuses polyethylene from a variety of common household items—such as case overwraps, sandwich/bread bags, newspaper sleeves and dry cleaning bags—to create composite products that offer consumers a superior, environmentally responsible alternative to wood.
"Trex was literally built on the use of sustainable materials, and our commitment to preserving and protecting the environment continues to influence everything we do as a company," said Jim Cline, Trex President and CEO. "The Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge helps students to incorporate recycling into their daily lives, and helps us to continue to produce high-performance, sustainable outdoor living products."
The Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge pits schools across the country against one another in a fun and spirited race to collect and recycle the most plastic film per capita between Nov. 15, 2015, and April 15, 2016. Easy-to-implement for schools of any type, the turnkey program comes complete with detailed instructions, promotional materials, recycling bins and a list of qualifying recyclable materials.
Participants weigh and report collection totals to Trex each month before delivering the recycled plastic to designated Trex drop-off points in their communities. The recycled material is then shipped to Trex for processing.
Regional finalists and a national winner will be announced in conjunction with Earth Day on April 22, 2016. All participating schools receive an award made from Trex decking boards. Regional and national winners each will earn a Trex composite bench to help beautify their school's playground or campus.
To enroll your school in the 2015-2016 Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge, complete the online form by October 15, 2015.
