WINCHESTER, Va., April 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thousands of students across the country are thinking globally and acting locally when it comes to recycling, thanks to Trex Company, the world’s largest manufacturer of high-performance, wood alternative decking and railing. Students from more than 500 schools nationwide participated in the 2018-19 Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge and, together, kept 518,580 pounds of plastic waste from ending up in landfills.
Now in its 12th year, the challenge is designed to provide K-12 students with a better understanding and appreciation for the importance of recycling by engaging them in the process. Schools compete with one another to collect the most plastic film per capita over a six-month period – between America Recycles Day in November and Earth Day in April – for the chance to win Trex products.
Participating schools are provided with detailed instructions, promotional materials, recycling bins and a list of qualifying recyclable materials, which range from plastic grocery bags to bubble wrap. Students then report their collection totals each month to Trex before delivering the materials to designated drop-off points in their communities.
Trex awards prizes to top recyclers based on grade level, school size and region. This year, 58 winners were recognized, representing schools from across the country. Taking top honors in the 2018-19 challenge for the second year in a row was Conrad Weiser Middle School, located in Robesonia, Pa., where students collected an impressive 11,260 pounds of recycled materials.
“What these students accomplish is nothing short of amazing,” said Stephanie Hicks, material resource coordinator for Trex. “They genuinely care about the future of our planet and really put their hearts into this program. They are so creative and determined. They work extremely hard and also have a lot of fun!”
With its decking portfolio made from 95% recycled materials, Trex is one of the largest recyclers of plastic in North America. Each year, the company uses more than 1.5 billion plastic bags to make its eco-friendly, wood-alternative outdoor living products. In addition to bags, Trex reuses polyethylene plastic from a variety of other common household items – such as case overwraps, sandwich/bread bags, newspaper sleeves and dry cleaning bags – to create products that offer a superior alternative to wood and an environmentally responsible choice to consumers.
“Sustainability and education have always been top priorities for Trex,” said Jim Cline, president and CEO of Trex. “The Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge teaches students that incorporating recycling into their everyday lives is easy and can create a positive global impact.”
For more information on the Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge or how to enroll in next year’s challenge, kicking off November 2019, visit Trex.com/Recycling.
About Trex Company
Trex Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of high performance wood-alternative decking and railing, with more than 25 years of product experience. Stocked in more than 6,700 retail locations worldwide, Trex outdoor living products offer a wide range of style options with fewer ongoing maintenance requirements than wood, as well as a truly environmentally responsible choice. For more information, visit trex.com. You also can follow Trex on Twitter (@Trex_Company), Instagram (@trexcompany) Pinterest (trexcompany), or Houzz (trex-company-inc), “like” Trex on Facebook, or view product and demonstration videos on the brand’s YouTube channel (TheTrexCo).
Contact: Lindsey Lucenta or Sara Tatay
L.C. Williams & Associates
800/837-7123 or 312/565-3900
llucenta@lcwa.com or statay@lcwa.com