Trex recycled pellets achieve ICC Certification

Trex, a manufacturer of high-performance wood-alternative decking and railing headquartered in Winchester, Virginia, has announced that its linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) pellets have achieved certification with the International Code Council (ICC). The recognition certifies that the Trex Spartan and Trex Cardinal lines of LLDPE pellets contain 100-percent-postconsumer content.

“Trex LLDPE pellets are an ideal material for plastic product manufacturers to incorporate into their manufacturing process as a means of increasing both the recycled content and cost efficiency of their products,” says Dave Heglas, senior director of material resources for Trex. “With this certification, companies can be assured that using Trex pellets can help meet their recycled content requirements and sustainability goals, while reducing their reliance on virgin and off-spec resin.”

Launched in 2015, Trex's LLDPE pellets are made from the surplus of recycled postconsumer and postcommercial polyethylene that Trex regularly collects for manufacturing its composite decking.

The recycled pellets are designed to partially displace the virgin and off-spec resin typically used to produce plastic goods. This allows manufacturers to lower their material costs and promote a more eco-friendly option to customers.

Trex says it currently has four lines dedicated to recycled pellet production, making it one of the leading producers of recycled LLDPE pellets in the country.

“Typically, manufacturers must rely on multiple sources for plastic pellets, resulting in unpredictable quantities and widely varying product characteristics,” Heglas says. “As one of the country's largest plastic recyclers, Trex is able to deliver the quantities and consistent quality manufacturers need at a lower price and with the added convenience of a single-source provider.”

The ICC certification (VAR 1040) for Trex Spartan and Trex Cardinal pellets can be found at www.icc-es.org/ep.