Trex reports on plastic recycling activity in 2022

Trex Co. Inc., a Winchester, Virginia-based producer of decking and railing products made with recycled content, says it consumed nearly 170,000 tons of polyethylene (PE) plastic scrap film last year.

The firm, which has a manufacturing base entirely in the United States, included that figure in its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report.

Calling 2022 ”a dynamic year in which we effectively navigated challenging market conditions,” Bryan Fairbanks, president and CEO of Trex, adds, “While we were faced with these challenges, we upheld our commitment to long-term growth and sustainability, thanks to the dedication of our team and the quality of our products.

“Our focus on accelerating the consumer shift to Trex’s 95 percent reclaimed and recycled product from wood decking has solidified our leadership position in the outdoor living category. Our success is not only driven by the quality and durability of our products, but also by their sustainability credentials.”

In terms of recycling, the company’s 2022 ESG report indicates last year it “upcycled” nearly 170,000 tons of scrap PE film. The company says it thus retained its position as one of the largest recyclers of PE film bags, wraps and packaging in North America.

In total, Trex has says it has diverted and recycled more than 5 billion pounds (2.5 million tons) of recyclable PE film since its founding.

Trex also says its NexTrex community recycling programs enlisted more than 3,300 schools and civic organizations to help divert nearly 1,000 tons of plastic film from landfills in 2022.

“I am sincerely grateful to our employees and partners who have enthusiastically contributed to ensuring that Trex's success is founded on sustainable principles,” says Fairbanks. “Trex was founded on sustainable principles and continues to make sustainability a priority. We are committed to finding new ways to improve our ESG performance in the years to come.”

Trex describes itself as having “invented, reinvented and defined the composite decking category” in the United States, and refers to itself the world’s No. 1 brand of sustainably made, wood-alternative decking and deck railings.