A plastics recycling company in Indiana that targets post-consumer caps and lids for reuse as benches through a unique program is shutting down.
Green Tree Plastics LLC of Evansville, which has partnered with groups around the country to collect plastic caps for use as feedstock to make the new products, indicates on Facebook the entire business will close Nov. 1.
But while the company is closing, Green Tree still holds out hope that someone will step forward to continue its ABC Promise Partnership effort that specifically uses post-consumer lids and caps to make benches.
"It is with deep sadness that we are announcing the closure of Green Tree Plastics LLC. The owners, Brent and Bonnie, have decided it is time to retire, take it easy and enjoy life. We would like to thank each and every one of our customers, vendors, and all of the lovely children and adults that have participated in our ABC Promise Partnership and that have supported us over the last 20 years," the post reads.
Green Tree's ABC Promise Partnership allowed organizations to collect used caps that were then turned into future benches. ABC is short for "A Bench for Caps."
A call to Green Tree seeking comment from owners Brent Grafton and Bonnie Crafton as well as a company manager was not immediately returned Sept. 6.
Green Tree indicated the company will no longer be accepting caps and lids starting Oct. 1 as the company starts to prepare for closure. The last month in business will allow the company to clear inventory as well as machinery and equipment.
"We would love to see a SWMD [solid waste management district] or another facility receive and continue to mentor and drive this Partnership Program so it can continue to grow in a different unsaturated location (good locations that that we have seen gaining interest are Texas and Florida)," the company said on the Facebook post.
Anyone interested in taking over the ABC Partnership Program can email [email protected] for more information, the company said.
Green Tree has recycled both high and low density polyethylene and polypropylene caps and lids in the ABC Promise Partnership.
Aside from benches through the ABC Promise Partnership program, Green Tree Plastics has made a wide variety of other recycled plastic products, including parking stops, trash receptacles and molded parts.