WINCHESTER, Va., April 22, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Starting in 1992, long before the term “green” was even on the scene, Trex Company was using recycled plastic film and reclaimed wood to create low-maintenance composite decking, applying the premise that ingenuity can help extract value from what was once seen as waste. This “trash-to-treasure” mentality led to a new process for plastic film collection and recycling in retail locations across the country.

To mark the success of its plastic recycling efforts, the company has unveiled a new name for its collection program – NexTrex™ – and is setting its sights on further growth by expanding its base of participating retailers and consumers.

One of the largest recyclers of plastic film in North America, Trex Company reclaims and repurposes more than 500 million pounds of plastic and reclaimed wood annually through a number of commercial partnerships and community programs. Among its largest sources are grocery stores and other retailers who partner with Trex to responsibly dispose of plastic shopping bags and polyethylene film used to wrap products and pallets.

The Trex retail recycling program engages approximately 32,000 stores nationwide, including such major national chains as Food Lion, Kroger, HyVee and Albertsons, and recently reached a monumental milestone – one billion pounds of recycled material collected through participating retailers in this program. But Trex has its sights set even higher. With a fresh new name, the company is formally branding the program in an effort to elevate awareness and further expand its reach by engaging even more retailers and collection sites.

“Being green is in Trex’s DNA,” said Dave Heglas, senior director of material management for Trex Company. “Trex was founded on sustainable principles – and we continue that legacy today with numerous community initiatives that not only help keep plastic out of landfills but provide us with the material we need to create beautiful, durable decking for today’s eco-conscious homeowners.”

The Trex decking portfolio is made from more than 95 percent recycled content. Nearly all of Trex's recycled plastic film comes from post-consumer sources – ranging from the overwrap on paper towels to dry cleaner bags, sandwich bags, newspaper sleeves, package liners and shopping bags to shrink wrap and stretch film used to palletize boxes and equipment.

Through the NexTrex program, Trex compensates partners for collecting recycled plastic material. After collection at the retail sites, the plastic material is sent to local distribution centers, where it is sorted and shipped to Trex’s manufacturing facilities in Winchester, Va., and Fernley, Nev.

“NexTrex is an integral component to Trex’s sourcing efforts, and we’re thrilled by the growing interest and participation by retailers across the country,” Heglas added. “Through NexTrex, we collected more than 130 million pounds of recycled plastic from retailers in 2018 alone.”

NexTrex is easy to implement for retail stores of any size. Trex provides participants with recycling bins, instructional videos, promotional materials and a list of qualifying recyclable materials, which include everyday items such as:

• Grocery and retail bags
• Bread bags
• Case overwraps
• Dry cleaning bags
• Newspaper sleeves
• Ice bags
• Ziploc^® and other reclose-able bags
• Produce bags
• Bubble wrap
• Salt bags
• Cereal box liners
• Wood pellet bags

A proud member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Trex collaborates with leaders from every sector of the building industry to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated with the goal of creating environmentally and socially responsible spaces that improve the quality of life for everyone. Additionally, the company sponsors and participates in a variety of national recycling programs and works with organizations that share its “green” vision. Trex also supports a multitude of recycling solutions at the local level, and continues to expand its support of “green” initiatives in communities across the country.

For more information about how to participate in the NexTrex program, please 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 Hunter Hackett
L.C. Williams & Associates
312/565-3900 or 800/837-7123
llucenta@lcwa.com or hhackett@lcwa.com