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Recycling Thin Film Plastics
ALERT - As of January 7, 2021, there are three locations in Berkeley Heights that are accepting thin film plastics, as noted below. Thank you all for your participation!
Location of Trex Thin Film Plastics Bins in Berkeley Heights
You can find the BHEC Trex bins in Berkeley Heights at the locations listed below, as follows:
* Drop off at this location only available to students at this school, their parents, and school staff
** Drop off at this location only available to those coming to Wharton for rehearsals and lessons
Things that Constitute "Thin Film Plastics" that are Acceptable for Drop-Off in Trex Bins
There is a wide range of items that constitute thin film plastics. Below is a brief list of some of the items that qualify as "thin film plastics":
From the Grocery Store, Packaging Store, and Laundromat/Cleaners
- Plastic bags
- Produce bags
- Bread bags
- Cereal bags (with no cereal or crumbs remaining)
- Plastic "overwrap" around toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, paper plates, and water bottles
- Bubble wrap
- Non-cardboard, overnight carrier envelopes
- Plastic wrap that covers your dry cleaned garments
From Your Pantry
- Ziploc bags
- Other reclosable bags
From Your Front Door
- Newspaper sleeves
- Plastic wrap over magazines and phone books
Things that CANNOT be Dropped Off in Trex Bins
Any thin film plastics dropped off in a Trex bin MUST meet the following criteria:
- be dry
- not have any food or other materials stuck to or in it
Learn How Your Recyclables Can Become A Composite Deck with NexTrex™
Here is an educational video from Trex illustrating what items can and cannot be dropped off, and the process of bringing those materials to Trex for conversion into their composite decking solutions.
Program Background
The Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission (BHEC) began the Trex Thin Film Plastics recycling effort in Berkeley Heights through the Trex "University & Community Recycling Program" in June 2018. Under this program, when a group collects 500 pounds or more of thin film plastics within a 6 month collection period, then the Trex Company will send that group an outdoor Trex bench. (Note: A group can only earn a maximum of 2 Trex benches in a continuous 12-month period, no matter how many pounds of thin film plastics your group collects during that period.)
To date, in addition to the BHEC, the following groups have participated in this program:
- Berkeley Heights Historical Society
- Berkeley Heights Recreation Department
- Berkeley Heights Rotary Club
- Church of the Little Flower
- Girl Scouts Tiger Unit (Girl Scouts from different troops and of all ages in Berkeley Heights)
- Laurianne Tussel-Holsten and Vincent Cirincione of RE/MAX Achievers
- Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center
- Master Gardeners
- Mountain Park Elementary School
- Sandy Hook Promise
- Scout Pack 268
- Smith Chiropractic
- Township of Berkeley Heights (administration)
- Township Council of Berkeley Heights
- Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts
How actively are residents participating?
According to Trex, 75 thin film plastic bags equal 1 pound. So, multiplying that out, (75 x 14,899 = 1,117,425), we as a township have collected more than approximately 1.1 MILLION thin film plastic bags in over a two-and-a-half-year period.
Trex Benches Earned To Date
As of January 2021, our community has earned a total of 19 Trex benches as a result of the number of pounds of thin film plastics we have collected. Below is an example of one of these benches.
2018 ANJEC Environmental Achievement Award
Articles in TAPinto Berkeley Heights, Patch, and Berkeley Heights Community News
To see the milestones Berkeley Heights has reached throughout its participation in the Trex Thin Film Plastics program, here are links to a few articles that have appeared in TAPinto Berkeley Heights and Patch
November 21, 2020
Benches from Thin-Film Plastics - Collection Resumes
November 10, 2020
Berkeley Heights Earns 17 Trex® Benches from Thin-Film Plastics Collection; Collection Resumes Again
December 29, 2019
Berkeley Heights Passes the 10,000 Pound Milestone for Thin Film Plastics Collected
November 15, 2019
Taylor Rental Becomes Newest Trex Bin Host Site
June 18, 2019
Residents Contribute Approximately 5,800 Pounds of Thin Film Plastics to Trex Bins in Just a One Year Period
June 14, 2019
BH Residents Amass Over 5,800 Pounds of Thin Film Plastics
May 23, 2019
Police Station Trex Bin: Help Earn a Trex Bench for Hughes Elementary, to Honor Classmate Annabelle "Annie" Helen Young
April 20, 2019
Adopt a Trex Bin: Earn Benches, Help the Earth, and Leave the Leash at Home
January 25, 2019
Girl Scouts Help Berkeley Heights Cross the 3,000 Pound Mark for Thin Film Plastics Collected
November 24, 2018
Berkeley Heights Passes the 2,100 Pound Milestone for Thin Film Plastics Collected
July 31, 2018
Residents Pass 500 Pound Milestone in Trex Thin Film Plastics Challenge, Win a Trex Outdoor Bench
June 15, 2018
Recycling Rules Change in Union County
June 10, 2018
Berkeley Heights Residents Invited to Participate in the Trex Thin Film Plastics Recycling Program