MILAN – On 15 November started in Illinois the Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge. As part of this recycling competition, schools in Will County educate their pupils about the importance of looking after the environment. Eleven school districts within the area have already confirmed their participation in the competition, which is organised by Trex Co., a decking manufacturer with more than 6,700 retail outlets worldwide.
Significant numbers for plastic recycling
The annual competition encourages students from primary, secondary and high schools to collect plastic bags and other types of polyethylene by 15 April. “We think it’s a great way to teach kids about environmentally friendly practices,” says Trex spokesperson Lindsey Lucenta. “We also think it’s a great way to bring the community together.” In 2014, more than 20 elementary and middle schools in Will County participated, out of 430 schools nationwide. Thanks to their joint efforts, together the schools gathered a total of 167,000 tonnes of plastic materials. The winner of last year’s competition was the St. Mary Nativity School in Joliet, with a total of 960 kilograms of recycled plastic. With 135 students, the school is one of the smallest that participated. The R.C. Hill Elementary School in Romeoville placed second with 664 kilograms of plastic collected, whilst the Pioneer Path School in Channahon placed third with 477 kilograms.
The competition
The challenge helps to demonstrate the huge value that recycling has for the earth, according to Trex. The company reuses more than 1.5 billion plastic bags and keeps over 450 million kilograms of plastic and scrap wood out of landfills. The company also salvages 250 million kilograms of sawdust each year. The list of materials students can collect for the competition includes: grocery bags, bread bags, packaging, bags, ice bags and other types of polyethylene. Participants must deliver the material to Trex drop-off points, in order that it can then be shipped to the company.
by editorial staff
