Trex Pursuing Film Plastics in Southern California

Trex Co. Inc., Winchester, Va., has announced it is growing its “mini-baler” pilot program in Southern California.

Trex, which manufactures composite decking and lumber products using recycled plastic bags and films, has been placing balers at the sites of smaller businesses to increase its access to scrap materials. The company also has announced it is introducing new compressed air balers to accommodate greater quantities of materials.

In a company news release, Trex says the program has drawn such diverse participants as dry cleaners, independent grocery stores, hospitals, a horse stable, Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres) and the City of Solana Beach.

Plastics are collected and taken to mini-balers at transfer stations or other locations, where they are compressed into 50-pound bales and then transported to Trex’s manufacturing plants. Trex plans to grow the program throughout Southern California, with the eventual goal of making mini-balers available to municipalities in every state.