Plastic Grocery Bags: Plastic Grocery Bags: Recycling is the Practical Recycling is the Practical

SolutionSolution

Raymond HamptonRaymond Hampton

Trex Company, Inc.Trex Company, Inc.

About Trex Company, Inc.About Trex Company, Inc.

• Manufacturer of Trex® Decking, Fencing and Manufacturer of Trex® Decking, Fencing and Railing, the leading brand of alternative Railing, the leading brand of alternative lumber in North America. lumber in North America. 

• A former division of Mobil Corporation, the A former division of Mobil Corporation, the company was formed by four Mobil company was formed by four Mobil executives in 1996 and went public in April executives in 1996 and went public in April 1999.1999.

• Trex Company’s Headquarters, R&D and a Trex Company’s Headquarters, R&D and a production plant are located in Winchester, production plant are located in Winchester, VA. A second plant opened in Fernley, NV in VA. A second plant opened in Fernley, NV in July 1999.   July 1999.   

Plant Locations:Plant Locations:Winchester, VA and Fernley, NVWinchester, VA and Fernley, NV

Raw Materials:Raw Materials:Reclaimed Wood & Reclaimed Polyethylene Reclaimed Wood & Reclaimed Polyethylene FilmFilm

Extrusion ProcessExtrusion Process

Why plastic and wood together?Why plastic and wood together?

• The plastic shields the wood from moisture and insect damage, so The plastic shields the wood from moisture and insect damage, so there's no rotting or splintering. there's no rotting or splintering.

• The wood protects the plastic from UV damage and gives your deck a The wood protects the plastic from UV damage and gives your deck a solid, natural feel. solid, natural feel.

• Trex lumber offers superior durability and performance that you can't get Trex lumber offers superior durability and performance that you can't get from wood. Trex never requires staining or painting to maintain it’s look. from wood. Trex never requires staining or painting to maintain it’s look.

• Not only is Trex an environmentally friendly product but it is a safe Not only is Trex an environmentally friendly product but it is a safe product for the consumer. Trex does contain any harmful chemicals and product for the consumer. Trex does contain any harmful chemicals and the decking boards are slip resistant, meeting ADA codes. the decking boards are slip resistant, meeting ADA codes.

• Trex offers design flexibility and creative freedom. You can bend and Trex offers design flexibility and creative freedom. You can bend and curve Trex to create unique designs, and you can mix and match colors curve Trex to create unique designs, and you can mix and match colors and finishes for a one-of-a-kind custom look. and finishes for a one-of-a-kind custom look.

What’s the problem with plastic What’s the problem with plastic bags?bags?• There is a growing concern about litter caused by careless There is a growing concern about litter caused by careless

disposal of plastic, particularly plastic grocery bags. Plastic disposal of plastic, particularly plastic grocery bags. Plastic bags are extremely light and travel easily in even the bags are extremely light and travel easily in even the slightest breeze.slightest breeze.

• The problem is not the bags themselves but the behavior of The problem is not the bags themselves but the behavior of those who toss them indiscriminately, littering streets, those who toss them indiscriminately, littering streets, parks, beaches, rivers, lakes, and seas.parks, beaches, rivers, lakes, and seas.

• Banning bags is a short-term solution to the litter problem Banning bags is a short-term solution to the litter problem and a source of major inconvenience for most shoppers.and a source of major inconvenience for most shoppers.

• Plastic bags cost a fraction of the price of paper bags. They Plastic bags cost a fraction of the price of paper bags. They are light, convenient, and have a number of practical re-use are light, convenient, and have a number of practical re-use applications.applications.

• Plastic bags are cheaper to recycle than paper bags.Plastic bags are cheaper to recycle than paper bags.

Trex Plastic Bag FactsTrex Plastic Bag Facts• Since the 1990’s, Trex has evaluated various bag collection Since the 1990’s, Trex has evaluated various bag collection

methods and recycling processes along with investing over methods and recycling processes along with investing over $30 MM to determine the most optimal, economical, and $30 MM to determine the most optimal, economical, and sustainable process for recycling plastic bags into Trex lumber.sustainable process for recycling plastic bags into Trex lumber.

• Trex Company has consumed billions of bags over the last Trex Company has consumed billions of bags over the last decade.decade.

• Top 5 States For Trex Bag Recycling in 2007Top 5 States For Trex Bag Recycling in 2007– PA over 177 MM bagsPA over 177 MM bags– NC over 163 MM bagsNC over 163 MM bags– IL over 147 MM bagsIL over 147 MM bags– CA over 138 MM bagsCA over 138 MM bags– OR over 103 MM bagsOR over 103 MM bags

Plastic Bag RecyclingPlastic Bag Recycling

• In the past 5 years, Trex has recycled over In the past 5 years, Trex has recycled over 6.5 Billion bags.6.5 Billion bags.

• Over 17.5 MM lbs. or 1.168 B bags in Over 17.5 MM lbs. or 1.168 B bags in 2003.2003.

• Over 17.9 MM lbs. or 1.191 B bags in 2004Over 17.9 MM lbs. or 1.191 B bags in 2004

• Over 17.6 MM lbs. or 1.176 B bags in 2005Over 17.6 MM lbs. or 1.176 B bags in 2005

• Over 22.0 MM lbs. or 1.472 B bags in 2006Over 22.0 MM lbs. or 1.472 B bags in 2006

• Over 23.2 MM lbs. or 1.546 B bags in 2007Over 23.2 MM lbs. or 1.546 B bags in 2007

Trex Lumber FactsTrex Lumber Facts

• A Trex 2 X 6 board that is 16 ft. long A Trex 2 X 6 board that is 16 ft. long uses approx. 2,250 bags.uses approx. 2,250 bags.

• There are approx. 140,000 bags in a There are approx. 140,000 bags in a 500 square foot deck of 2 X 6 lumber.500 square foot deck of 2 X 6 lumber.

• Trex procures approx. 50% of the Trex procures approx. 50% of the available recyclable grocery bags in available recyclable grocery bags in the nation.the nation.

Promote, Collect, ConsolidatePromote, Collect, Consolidate

• Promote – Who can promote the recycling of plastic bags?Promote – Who can promote the recycling of plastic bags?– RecyclersRecyclers– Bag ManufacturersBag Manufacturers– RetailersRetailers– SchoolsSchools– Recycling CoordinatorsRecycling Coordinators– MunicipalitiesMunicipalities– Trade AssociationsTrade Associations– Environmental GroupsEnvironmental Groups– LegislatorsLegislators– General PublicGeneral Public

• Collect - Where can we collect and capture grocery bags for recycling?Collect - Where can we collect and capture grocery bags for recycling?– Retailers / Shopping CentersRetailers / Shopping Centers– GrocersGrocers– Municipal Recycling CentersMunicipal Recycling Centers– SchoolsSchools– OfficesOffices

• Consolidate – What are the best locations for bag recycling consolidation?Consolidate – What are the best locations for bag recycling consolidation?– Distribution CentersDistribution Centers– RecyclersRecyclers– Municipal Consolidation ProgramsMunicipal Consolidation Programs

Hybrid Bag Recycling Hybrid Bag Recycling ProjectsProjects

• School Recycling ProjectsSchool Recycling Projects

• Municipal Recycling Projects Municipal Recycling Projects (compact balers)(compact balers)

• Projects utilizing Handicap IndividualsProjects utilizing Handicap Individuals

Collection projectsCollection projects

Collection ProjectsCollection Projects

Bags to BenchesBags to Benches

• Trex has launched several programs with local Trex has launched several programs with local Virginia School Systems to collect bags.Virginia School Systems to collect bags.

• The student classrooms compete against one The student classrooms compete against one another to see which school can collect the another to see which school can collect the most bags.most bags.

• The bags are collected, counted and returned The bags are collected, counted and returned to a local grocer who recycles with Trex.to a local grocer who recycles with Trex.

• The winning school is awarded a bench made The winning school is awarded a bench made of Trex decking lumber and a pizza party.of Trex decking lumber and a pizza party.

Hurley ElementaryHurley Elementary

Wise County VirginiaWise County Virginia

Virginia Recycling FactsVirginia Recycling Facts

• Trex recycled 26MM bags in 2006 and Trex recycled 26MM bags in 2006 and 34MM bags in 2007.34MM bags in 2007.

• Trex captured a total of 5.8 MM Trex captured a total of 5.8 MM pounds of Polyethylene film in pounds of Polyethylene film in Virginia for 2007.Virginia for 2007.

• Trex is projecting to capture 50MM Trex is projecting to capture 50MM bags in 2008.bags in 2008.

Virginia ChallengeVirginia Challenge

• Trex would like to challenge the state Trex would like to challenge the state of Virginia and it’s residents to be the of Virginia and it’s residents to be the top state in the nation for recycling top state in the nation for recycling Polyethylene grocery sacks and film.Polyethylene grocery sacks and film.

• What’s needed? More education and What’s needed? More education and promotion!promotion!

Thank you! Thank you! Questions?Questions?