Winchester, Va.-based Trex Co. Inc. has launched an online national directory to make it easier for Americans to recycle plastic film waste.
The goal of the NexTrex Plastics Recycling DropOff Directory is to connect eco-minded Americans with Trex recycling partners in communities at a time when some people are wondering if their recyclables actually get a second life.
U.S. consumers have not had a comprehensive online directory of places to drop off film and bags for recycling since the end of 2023, when the Film Drop-Off Directory, managed by Stina Inc., was taken offline. That directory previously listed 18,000 store drop-off locations that accepted used plastic bags and film.
Trex uses wood scrap and polyethylene films, such as shopping bags, bubble wrap, bread bags, dry cleaner bags and paper towel overwraps, to produce composite decking.
Plastic film is a tricky material that typically is not allowed in curbside bins with other recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard and glass, according to Stephanie Hicks, Trex's materials and recycling programs manager.
"The NexTrex program offers a simple way for people to dispose of flexible plastic waste responsibly and confidently," Hicks said in a news release. "When you drop off plastic bags and film at a NexTrex recycling location, you know exactly where those materials are going and how they will be used."
PE film is a core ingredient in Trex decking, which is made from up to 95 percent recycled materials. The company repurposes more than 300 million pounds of discarded plastic material annually, mostly from grocery stores and retailers who partner with Trex to responsibly dispose of the shrink wrap, pallet wrap and other flexible plastic materials used in their operations.
More than 10,000 of these stores also serve as public-facing drop-off locations with dedicated bins posted in their stores for community members to recycle plastic bag and film materials that qualify to be used by Trex.
The drop-off directory, which is on the NexTrex website, asks for a zip code and then lists the places to recycle plastic bags and film in all 50 states.
The directory site also asks visitors to close the recycling loop by purchasing decking made from recycled plastic bags and film.
With almost $1.1 billion in annual sales, Trex is the seventh largest pipe, profile and tubing producer in North America, according to Plastics News' latest ranking.
New locations will be added as more retailers join the NexTrex program. The directory site also allows visitors to suggest other locations and give feedback for program improvements, according to Dave Heglas, Trex's senior director of recycled materials.
"This directory reinforces Trex's involvement in the entire recycling process, from the collection and processing of plastic film to the creation of sustainable outdoor living products," Heglas said. "Unlike other retail recycling programs, we actively manage the process from start to finish to ensure the plastics that are dropped off at our partner locations successfully make their way to Trex where they are given new life as beautiful and sustainable Trex decking."
Hicks noted that Trex was founded on the principle that value can be derived from discarded materials.
"We are proud to be a successful proof-of-concept that, when done properly and mindfully, plastic recycling is absolutely viable and not a myth," Hicks said. "Our goal is to make the world a better place one plastic bag at a time."