Trinity Rail joins Cyclyx plastic recycling effort

Cyclyx International, a New Hampshire-based consortium with a mission to increase the recycling rate of plastic from 10 percent globally to 90 percent, has added Dallas-based TrinityRail as its newest member.

TrinityRail, which is a trade name used by Trinity Industries Inc., is described by Cyclyx as “North America’s premier railcar partner,” with more than 140,000 leased and managed cars in its fleet. The company’s services include the leasing, manufacturing and maintenance of freight railcars.

“TrinityRail serves as an extension to businesses across verticals, including automotive, agriculture, downstream chemicals and consumer products," Cyclyx says.

TrinityRail becomes the first railcar manufacturer to join the Cyclyx effort.

“Together, Cyclyx and TrinityRail are exploring innovative ways to utilize rail assets, enabling access to more plastic [scrap] materials and greater recyclability,” Cyclyx adds. Last year, the consortium announced the formation of a brokerage service designed to boost plastic recycling efforts, with a focus on chemical recycling processes. 

“We are thrilled to have TrinityRail join the consortium,” says Ron Sherga, vice president at Cyclyx. “As a sustainable, fuel-efficient option, moving goods by rail reduces greenhouse gas emissions and increases fuel efficiency compared to trucks. With TrinityRail’s large footprint in the United States, Canada and Mexico, we see an opportunity to bring the necessary technology for aggregating postuse plastic in new areas with enhanced logistics.”

TrinityRail previously has been recognized by the American Chemistry Council as a Responsible Care (RC) Partner, including certification to the RC 14001 standard, partly for its efforts as an Operation Clean Sweep partner “committed to control plastic resin loss worldwide.