Trex announces winners for plastic film recycling competition

Now in its 13 year, the program engages students in grades K-12 in a competition to collect and recycle the most polyethylene (PE) in order to win a Trex product for their schools. According to a news release from Trex Co., the annual competition takes place between America Recycles Day in November and Earth Day the following April.

“Through the Trex Recycling Challenge, we are thrilled to be able to educate students about the importance of recycling in a way that is interactive, fun and offers them a tangible reward for their efforts,” says Adam Zambanini, president of Trex Residential. “Amid current school shutdowns, we hope the winner announcement encourages students to keep recycling and learning about ways that they can help the environment, whether at school or at home.”

Over the past five months, students from more than 700 schools collected a combined total of 362,556 pounds of PE scrap for Trex Co.’s competition. That figure has been added to the more than 400 million pounds of plastic film, bags and wrap Trex recycles every year, the company reports. Trex Co. had supplied schools with detailed instructions, promotional materials, recycling bins and a list of qualifying recyclable materials, which range from plastic bags to bubble wrap. Students then reported their collection totals each month to Trex before delivering the materials to a designated drop-off point in their communities. 

Trex awards prizes to top recyclers based on grade level, school size and region. For the 2019-2020 awards, 56 regional winners were recognized. Eisenhower Elementary in Russel, Pennsylvania, received the top prize for the challenge this year. Students at that school collected 7,334 pounds of recycled materials through classroom challenges and communitywide outreach. 

“Even after 13 years, we continue to be amazed by what these students are able to accomplish,” says Stephanie Hicks, material resource coordinator for Trex. “Their dedication, creativity and resourcefulness are truly inspiring, and it’s so rewarding to see these young people playing an active role in preserving our environment and their future.”

In recognition of their outstanding recycling efforts, the 56 winning schools will earn a Trex bench to help beautify their campus or playground. Every participating school will receive a flower box made from Trex composite deck boards. All prizes will be shipped once schools return to normal schedules.

Trex Co. states that its 2020-2021 Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge for schools will start Nov. 15.