Trex Co. Inc. is working with distributors, builders and vendors to take back scraps of its composite decking, which is made from 95 percent recycled polyethylene and wood, to recycle again into new products.
The Winchester, Va.-based company has turned reclaimed wood and more than 5 billion of pounds of shopping bags, dry cleaner bags, newspaper sleeves, paper towel overwrap and other PE film into durable, low-maintenance decking over the last 30 years.
Now the manufacturer is looking to tighten its recycling loop by incorporating its own products — starting with construction and merchandising scrap — back into the extrusion process.
Officials from Trex, already considered one of the most responsible, sustainable eco-leading companies, said it's time to devise whole-life strategies for their products.
With sales of $1.1 billion, Trex ranks No. 7 among North American pipe, profile and tubing producers, according to Plastics News' latest ranking.
Wood-plastic composite (WPC) decking made with PE, PVC and polypropylene are finding wider appeal and chopping away at the 76.8 percent market share of all-wood decking, according to analysts at Freedonia Group.
MoistureShield launched a new composite PVC decking this year that spans 24 inches on center; Azek composite decking products achieved a fire-resistant designation in California; and Fiberon added a product line.
WPC decking is expected to capture a larger share of the U.S. market through 2027, seeing annual gains of about 6.8 percent primarily at the expense of pressure-treated wood, Matthew Hurley, Freedonia content expert, said in an email.
There's a long list of advantages, including WPC doesn't decay, splinter or need staining and sealing, and it withstands moisture and UV rays, Hurley said. WPC decking also incorporates recycled material and reduces the demand for harvesting new timber, making the products more environmentally friendly than other options, Hurley added.
"These materials result in a product that combines the best qualities of both wood and plastic. Composite decking is designed to mimic the appearance of wood while offering enhanced durability, reduced maintenance requirements and improved resistance to environmental factors," Hurley said.