Photo/STEVE JASIECKI
Third graders Hasan Saoud and Chloe Gecewitz add plastic bags to the Trex recycling container.
Submitted by STEVE JASIECKI
MARGATE – Students in the Margate schools have embarked on a challenge to collect plastic film and bags and help turn them into a useful product through the Trex recycling program.
Trex Manufacturing offers the challenge where schools compete against each other to determine who can recycle the most plastic film. In addition to providing a better understanding and appreciation for the importance of recycling, Trex® will donate a high-performance composite bench to the winning school and bestow honorary awards to every school that participates.
The challenge is to collect at least 500 pounds of plastic film within a six-month period. Plastic collected is sent to a local retailer where it is subsequently sent to a distribution center where Trex purchases the plastic.
The challenge runs from Nov. 15 to April 15. Winners of the challenge will be announced on Earth Day, April 22.
Photo/ANTHONY EDGE
Plastic bags are being collected by students in the Margate schools.
Both the William H. Ross Elementary School and Eugene A. Tighe Middle School are taking part in the challenge. Collection bins have been set up in both schools where students can deposit their #2 and #4 plastic bags and film. Each month, Margate Recycling Coordinator Anthony Edge weighs the plastic at a local collection site.
Middle school science teacher Chelsi Crompton and elementary school teacher Jessica Cuevas are coordinating the program for their respective schools.
To help with students add to their collections, Edge has set up additional Trex recycling containers in the Margate City Public Library and the Bloom Pavilion Senior Citizens Center. Residents can help students achieve their goal by bringing their plastic film and bags to either location. Please be mindful of the allowable types of plastic – only #2 and #4 plastics are accepted. That is the type of stretchy plastic you find in plastic bags, laundry bags, newspaper and bread bags and bubble wrap. Hard plastics and food containers are not accepted.
The Atlantic County Utilities Authority Recycling Center is not geared up to handle plastic bags or film, which ends up in the waste stream taking up landfill space. The bags often clog up the machinery that separates recycled materials at the plant.
“By collecting this type of plastic, we convert a hard to recycle item into a useful product,” Edge said. “This program teaches our children the value of recycling and engages the community in recycling awareness. Our goal is to keep the plastic off the streets and more importantly, out of the environment.”
Below is a list of all the types of plastic that can be recycled as part of the challenge. All recycled plastic must be clean, dry and free of food residue.
- Bread and cereal bags
- Grocery bags
- Dry cleaning bags
- Newspaper sleeves
- Ice bags
- Ziplock and other re-sealable bags
- Produce bags
- Bubble wrap
- Packaging air pillows
- Food storage bags
- Salt bags
- Product wrap
Trex is a company headquartered in Winchester, Virginia. It produces composite decking and outdoor furniture made from 95% recycled wood and plastic film.
You can learn more at https://www.trex.com/why-trex/eco-friendly-decking/.
