Lets get rid of the plastic that would go to the land fill. Help reduce plastic pollution! Evergreen has partnered with the League of Women voters Environmental committee to collect plastic. There are bins at the “Y”, at the Borough building, and at the S&T arena.
This project is done in conjunction with Trex, a composite decking company. Trex sponsors a plastic collection challenge in which a group or organization that collects five hundred pounds of plastic film receives a free “polylumber” bench from Trex in appreciation for the community’s recycling efforts.
Our 2022-2025 Sustainability plan for “Bags to Benches”
We started this project in January of 2020. We our goal is to collect over 500 pounds of plastic every 3 to 4 months throughout the year. Our objective is to collect a minimum of 2,000 pounds of plastic every year. Our goal to the end of 2025 would be to have collected 12,000 pounds of plastic that would otherwise go in landfills or pollute our environment.
We have a base of volunteers who are active participants and pick up plastic weekly and deliver it to Giant Eagle from various locations in the community. They self-weigh the plastic and report to the coordinator who then reports it to TREX monthly. When we collect over 500 pounds we order the bench and they ship it to us. We have a solid volunteer base and we are confident we will not have any problems with volunteers in the future.
We have a list of possibilities of places to donate the benches. Up to this point we have donated benches to the local YMCA, Indiana County Conservation District, Chevy Chase Community Center, the Community Garden, Giant Eagle, the Mahoning Social Center, S&T Recreation Center, and the Indiana Community Action Center. We get requests from
organizations and individuals and do not foresee any lack of places to donate benches.
The program was developed by a company called NexTrex. Here is the link to their website:
https://recycle.trex.com/view/educate#materials1
More than just plastic bags are recyclable.
APPROVED ITEMS FOR NEXTREX® PROGRAMS
All plastic must be clean, dry and free of food residue.
PALLET WRAP AND STRETCH FILM
GROCERY BAGS
BREAD BAGS
CASE OVERWRAP
DRY CLEANING BAGS
NEWSPAPER SLEEVES
ZIPLOC® AND OTHER RESEALABLE FOOD STORAGE BAGS
PRODUCE BAGS
PRODUCT WRAP
RETAIL BAGS
AIR PILLOWS
BUBBLE WRAP
PLASTIC SHIPPING ENVELOPES
ELECTRONIC WRAP
PLUS
All plastic must be clean, dry and free of food residue.
•Plastic films labeled with #2 or #4 recycling symbol (polyethylene films)
•Ice bags
•Wood pellet bags
•Salt bags
•Cereal box liners
DO NOT INCLUDE THESE ITEMS IN NEXTREX® PROGRAMS
FROZEN FOOD BAGS
CANDY BAR WRAPPERS
CHIP BAGS
NET OR MESH PRODUCE BAGS
MULCH OR SOIL BAGS
OR THESE
•Degradable/compostable bags or film packaging
•Pre-washed salad mix bags
•Pet food bags
•Hot dog or meat wrap packaging
•Six-pack rings
•PPE- Gloves, masks, or protective wear
•Pool covers
•Lamination film
•Silage and hay bags
•Backyard ice rinks
•Vinyl shower curtains or tablecloths
•Bedding or linen packaging
•Shiny, crinkly films like floral wrap
Don’t see your item on the list?
Try these tests to see if your plastic is recyclable polyethylene or not or review the list of frequently asked questions below.
•See if the package will stretch when you pull it. If yes, it can be included. If it tears like paper, then please don’t put in the bin.
•Is the package shiny or does it make a crinkly/crunchy sound in your hand? If yes, do NOT recycle in the NexTrex® bin.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I recycle plastic bags and film if they……are colored plastic?
YES, the color does not affect the recycling process.
…tear like paper?
NO, please do not include, as they are not currently accepted in film/bag recycling bins.
…stretch when I pull it apart with both hands?
YES, this is the correct type of plastic to recycle. If it doesn’t stretch or it tears like paper, please throw it in the trash.
…are thicker, stiff plastics for linens and beddings (including anything with a real zipper)?
NO, they are not the kind of plastic recyclers can use in their processes.
…have a paper label or tape stuck on?
YES, but labels, tape and adhesive strips should be removed if possible. You can simply cut off of the label as the integrity of the bag isn’t important to the recycler.
…are pet food bags?
NO, this plastic is not recyclable.
…are boat wrap?
NO, because its intended use is to protect boats outside, which means it could contain barriers or be contaminated with moisture and debris that are problematic in the recycling process.
… are very shiny (like floral wrap) and make a loud crinkly sound when crumpled?
NO, this plastic film is not recyclable.
… have a shiny metal look like a chip bag or candy wrappers?
NO, this plastic film is not recyclable.
…have this NexTrex® label?
YES, brands and retailers are using this label to let consumers know that the plastic film package is recyclable.
…are labeled degradable AND recyclable?
NO, recyclers can’t risk using degradable plastics in new items so these items are not recyclable.
…contains other materials or is dirty or wet?
NO, plastic film must be clean and dry and the right type in order for it to be recycled. Please remove all other materials like tape, paper receipts, food residue and crumbs, and crinkly or rigid plastics (bottles and tubs). These contaminants can ruin the quality of the plastic and may result in it not being recycled.
Plastic Poster See our power point about what you can do to reduce your use of plastic!