We’ve exceeded our goal!
(updated 11/18/24)

Created using the Donation Thermometer plugin https://wordpress.org/plugins/donation-thermometer/.1,000lbsRaised 1,355lbs towards the 1,000lbs target.1,355lbsRaised 1,355lbs towards the 1,000lbs target.136%

On Earth Day, April 22, 2023, Cape Elizabeth joined plastic film recycling challenge sponsored by the maker of Trex® composite decking. The challenge will provide Cape Elizabeth with convenient bins for collecting recyclable plastic film like bread bags, bubble wrap, plastic mailers, and produce bags-located in the library’s entryway. Organizers, including the Cape Elizabeth Recycling Committee and a team of volunteers, were hoping to collect 1,000 pounds of plastic film over the course of a year, from Earth Day, April 22, 2024 until Earth Day, April 22, 2025. However, we reached our goal in mid-October of 2024, just 6 months after we began the effort!

Plastic Film Recycling Program Wraps Up Jan 18th!

After eight successful months and over 1,000 pounds of plastic film collected, the Cape Elizabeth Recycling Committee and Thomas Memorial Library announce the conclusion of their plastic film recycling program at the library. This milestone is a testament to the commitment of the community and the hard work of volunteers who embraced the NexTrex Recycling Challenge to reduce plastic waste and earn a Trex bench made from recycled materials. Please visit the bench in the Children’s Garden at the library.

The program, which began on Earth Day 2024, not only met but exceeded its goals, reaching the 1,000-pound mark in record time. Residents were encouraged to drop off clean, dry plastic film at the library, including items like plastic bags and other film packaging. Volunteers dedicated countless hours to collecting, weighing, and delivering the plastic to NexTrex-approved sites, ensuring its responsible recycling.

As the library collection site closes on January 18th, the Recycling Committee is pleased to share alternative locations where residents can continue their plastic film recycling efforts. Both Shaw’s and Hannaford grocery stores in the area accept clean plastic film at their dedicated recycling bins (please see the photos of the closest locations below!) Or, find another location by visiting NexTrex drop off directory.   Residents are encouraged to utilize these drop-off points to continue reducing plastic waste.

 

Closest Drop-Off Locations for Plastic Film

Shaw’s Mill Creek

a photo of Shaw's Mill Creek

Hannaford Mill Creek

a photo of Hannaford Mill Creek

In 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated that Americans used nearly 7 billion pounds of polyethylene films, bags, and wraps annually and that only 12% of that material was recovered for recycling. Plastic films cannot go into commingled recycling because they tangle the sorting equipment. Partnering with local repositories, Trex® helps keep 300-400 million pounds of plastic film from the waste stream each year.

 

What Can Be Recycled?

Collecting the right kind of plastic film and ensuring that it is clean and dry is very important.  Only polyethylene film is acceptable. Residents should look for #2 or #4 mark on the bag or film. Any color film and items with paper labels are fine.

In general, these kinds of items are acceptable:

• Bread bags
• Bubble wrap
• Dry cleaning wrap
• Newspaper bags
• Plastic shipping envelopes (no paper included)
• Produce bags
• Case overwrap (such as from water bottles or toilet paper)
• Cereal bags
• Ziploc and other reclosable food storage bags (cleaned of food residue)

Image of downloadable guide

Download a Handy Guide

Here's a one page flyer listing what can and can't be recycled as part of the NexTrex Challenge.

What Can’t Be Recycled

Items that are NOT acceptable are generally “crinkly, not stretchy” and include:

• Potato chip bags
• Pet food bags
• Candy wrappers
• Frozen vegetable bags
• Compostable or degradable wrap
• Cling wrap
• Six-pack rings
• Hot dog or meat wrap packaging
• Anything that is wet, dirty, or contaminated with food

If you’re not sure whether an item is acceptable, please leave it out!

An image showing items that cannot be recycled

Volunteers Needed!

If you would like to help out with this effort, we need volunteers to stop by the library and empty and weigh the contents of the collection bin. If you are interested in helping out, please sign up by clicking the button below!

If We Meet the Challenge…

If the Town of Cape Elizabeth meets the 1,000 pound goal in one year, Trex will award the Town a Trex furniture outdoor bench!