Trex looks to expand recycling programs
Trex Company has unveiled a new name for its plastic recycling and collection program – NexTrex – and is setting its sights on further growth by expanding its base of participating retailers and consumers.
According to Trex, based in Winchester, Va., it reclaims and repurposes more than 500 million pounds of plastic and reclaimed wood annually through a number of commercial partnerships and community programs.
Among its largest sources are grocery stores and other retailers who partner with wood-alternative decking manufacturer to responsibly dispose of plastic shopping bags and polyethylene film used to wrap products and pallets.
The Trex retail recycling program engages approximately 32,000 stores nationwide, including such major national chains as Food Lion, Kroger, HyVee and Albertsons, and recently reached a monumental milestone – one billion pounds of recycled material collected through participating retailers in the program.
Now Trex has its sights set even higher. With a fresh new name, the company is formally branding the collection program in an effort to elevate awareness and further expand its reach by engaging even more retailers and collection sites.
“Being green is in Trex’s DNA,” said Dave Heglas, senior director of material management for Trex Company. “Trex was founded on sustainable principles – and we continue that legacy today with numerous community initiatives that not only help keep plastic out of landfills but provide us with the material we need to create beautiful, durable decking for today’s eco-conscious homeowners.”
The Trex decking portfolio is made from more than 95% recycled content. Nearly all of Trex's recycled plastic film comes from post-consumer sources – ranging from the overwrap on paper towels to dry cleaner bags, sandwich bags, newspaper sleeves, package liners and shopping bags to shrink wrap and stretch film used to palletize boxes and equipment.
Through the NexTrex program, Trex compensates partners for collecting recycled plastic material. After collection at the retail sites, the plastic material is sent to local distribution centers, where it is sorted and shipped to Trex’s manufacturing facilities in Winchester and Fernley, Nev.
“NexTrex is an integral component to Trex’s sourcing efforts, and we’re thrilled by the growing interest and participation by retailers across the country,” Heglas added. “Through NexTrex, we collected more than 130 million pounds of recycled plastic from retailers in 2018 alone.”
NexTrex is easy to implement for retail stores of any size. Trex provides participants with recycling bins, instructional videos, promotional materials and a list of qualifying recyclable materials, which include everyday items including grocery, produce, bread, ice, sandwich and dry cleaning bags along with bubble wrap, newspaper sleeves and cereal box liners among other plastic products.
According to Trex, based in Winchester, Va., it reclaims and repurposes more than 500 million pounds of plastic and reclaimed wood annually through a number of commercial partnerships and community programs.
Among its largest sources are grocery stores and other retailers who partner with wood-alternative decking manufacturer to responsibly dispose of plastic shopping bags and polyethylene film used to wrap products and pallets.
The Trex retail recycling program engages approximately 32,000 stores nationwide, including such major national chains as Food Lion, Kroger, HyVee and Albertsons, and recently reached a monumental milestone – one billion pounds of recycled material collected through participating retailers in the program.
Now Trex has its sights set even higher. With a fresh new name, the company is formally branding the collection program in an effort to elevate awareness and further expand its reach by engaging even more retailers and collection sites.
“Being green is in Trex’s DNA,” said Dave Heglas, senior director of material management for Trex Company. “Trex was founded on sustainable principles – and we continue that legacy today with numerous community initiatives that not only help keep plastic out of landfills but provide us with the material we need to create beautiful, durable decking for today’s eco-conscious homeowners.”
The Trex decking portfolio is made from more than 95% recycled content. Nearly all of Trex's recycled plastic film comes from post-consumer sources – ranging from the overwrap on paper towels to dry cleaner bags, sandwich bags, newspaper sleeves, package liners and shopping bags to shrink wrap and stretch film used to palletize boxes and equipment.
Through the NexTrex program, Trex compensates partners for collecting recycled plastic material. After collection at the retail sites, the plastic material is sent to local distribution centers, where it is sorted and shipped to Trex’s manufacturing facilities in Winchester and Fernley, Nev.
“NexTrex is an integral component to Trex’s sourcing efforts, and we’re thrilled by the growing interest and participation by retailers across the country,” Heglas added. “Through NexTrex, we collected more than 130 million pounds of recycled plastic from retailers in 2018 alone.”
NexTrex is easy to implement for retail stores of any size. Trex provides participants with recycling bins, instructional videos, promotional materials and a list of qualifying recyclable materials, which include everyday items including grocery, produce, bread, ice, sandwich and dry cleaning bags along with bubble wrap, newspaper sleeves and cereal box liners among other plastic products.