Page 27 - Green Builder July-August 2019 Issue

Trex

This company’s specialty is putting plastic back to work.

OR MORE THAN TWO DECADES, Trex also buys unwanted waste plastic
Trex has turned detrimental waste from businesses through its Commercial
plastic into something useful. The Recycling Partnerships program. Pro-
company innovatively recycles recycling literature is freely distributed.
F the material by including it in its The company’s annual report highlights
composite decking and railing products—a how its products result in 36 percent fewer
fact it shares to help people think green. greenhouse gas emissions, 47 percent fewer
The company keeps more than 500 air pollutants, 84 percent less acidiƒcation,
million pounds of plastic ƒlm and reclaimed 53 percent less smog and 93 percent less
wood out of landƒlls each year, recycling ecological toxicity. The company is taking
them into eco-friendly decking and outdoor steps to keep things clean inside as well.
living products that are more Earth-friendly Energy-saving initiatives, such as variable-
than real wood. Its high-end decking is speed equipment, heat exchangers to reuse
95 percent recycled material, which CEO Jim
heat, and new lighting systems controlled
COURTESY OF TREX Cline views as a sign of “sustainability in by motion sensors are in place at Trex
plants. A water conservation project
our DNA.”
Trex gets the good word out. An annual
Virginia, as are e˜orts to use GPS systems
Plastic Film Recycling Challenge draws is nearing completion at its plant in
thousands of kids from hundreds of to optimize warehouse operations, and use
schools, all trying to prove they’re the best at rail lines for shipping instead of trucks.
gathering and properly disposing of plastic A longer-range—and more challenging— “Our adherence to our
shopping bags, bread bags, case overwrap, goal is for Trex to ƒnd a way to recycle
bubble wrap and more. A similar program or reuse its decking, for which no options company’s core values
exists for colleges and local communities. currently exist.
continues to resonate with

Recycle your Clean, Dry, customers—both
Empty Plastic Bags and
Film Packaging! contractors and
consumers—who
- LDPE / HDPE Films - Pellet Bags
- Produce Bags
- Newspaper Sleeves - Dry Cleaning Bags
- Case Overwrap
Plastics to Collect: - Bread Bags - Grocery Bags understand the importance
- Product Wrap
- Packaging Air Pillows
- Cereal Liners
- Food Storage Bags
of environmentally
- Ice Bags - Salt Bags
conscious building.”
Jim Cline, President/CEO

Look for bins and signage near

store entrances and drop o
collected plastics and wraps.
COURTESY OF TREX Your plastic bags and wraps All wrapped up. As public opinion

then become Earth-friendly
of single-use plastics sours,
COURTESY OF TREX composite decking & railing! companies like Trex have taken
Go to trexrecycling.com to
the initiative to encourage
see participating retailers.
recycling among consumers and
800-BUY-TREX
retailers.
www.greenbuildermedia.com July/August 2019 GREEN BUILDER 25

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