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NexTrex® Creates Sustainable Solutions for Your Favorite Brands
Online sales skyrocketed 71% in the second quarter of 2020 and 55% in the third quarter. The
The resulting glut of shipping materials provided environmental concerns to both consumers and the companies generating packaging waste. Especially worrisome was single-use plastics, given that less than 14% of the 86 million tons of plastic packaging was being recycled.
Some of your favorite brands saw an opportunity to do something better for the earth by recycling these types of plastics. Through the NexTrex® Retail Recycling Program, companies such as Rent the Runway, LL Bean and Urban Outfitters have found a way to transform their single-use plastic waste into beautiful and sustainable Trex® decking and outdoor products.
Making sustainability fashionable
Since 2009, Rent the Runway has pioneered the world’s first and largest shared designer closet, leading the way in re-commerce. By encouraging its customers to buy less and wear more, the company aims to help combat over 11 million tons of textiles that go to landfills each year, according to the
One unique environmental challenge for the company was the plastic covers used to protect each garment after cleaning. In keeping with the company’s commitment to sustainability, it’s now combatting this impact by removing the plastic bags before mailing to consumers and sending them to be upcycled by Trex.
“As a company, we are focused on minimizing waste from our operations” said
Rent the Runway shared with its followers on Twitter, “In 2021, RTR recycled 23,000 pounds (11.5 tons) of clothing, accessories, & reusable packaging through partner organizations – and over 95 tons of plastic through @Trex_Company (a.k.a., the weight of 14 elephants).”
Others in the fashion industry have joined the movement as well. Retailers including Free People,
“We appreciate the partnership we’ve established with the
In the case of Urban Outfitters and Free People, part of the
“Partnering with Trex was important because we wanted a sustainable solution,” said
Approximately 32,000 retail stores across the country are involved with the NexTrex program, proactively collecting and contributing commercial and post-consumer plastics to be upcycled into high-performance, low-maintenance Trex decking, railing and outdoor living products.
How NexTrex works
When individuals and companies donate plastic film to NexTrex, they not only help to keep thousands of pounds of waste out of landfills, but they’re also helping Trex to continue to make its eco-friendly outdoor products. NexTrex partners with retailers to collect recyclable materials including:
- Grocery and retail bags
- Plastic mailer 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
We strive to offer a program to make “recycling that’s as hassle-free as our decking.” 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.
The Trex decking portfolio is sustainably made from primarily recycled and reclaimed content, including a mix of industrial wood scrap and polyethylene plastic film. Nearly all of the recycled plastic film used in the making of Trex products comes from post-consumer sources.
“Trex is an important partner in our sustainability efforts,” added Farrell. “The results really speak for themselves – we’re proud to partner with Trex on our plastic recycling solutions.”
To learn more about the NexTrex program, go to Recycle.Trex.com. For more information about Trex, visit Trex.com.
About
Contact:
312/565-3900
afigy@lcwa.com
Source: Trex Company, Inc