A Burlington County middle school can brag about doing something better than any other school its size in the nation: recycling plastic.

During a six-month period, students and staff at Riverside Middle School recycled more than 2,300 pounds of plastic shopping bags, shipping mailers, bubble wrap and plastic film as part of the Trex School Recycling Challenge.

Trex manufactures composite decking and railing from recycled plastics and sponsors recycling contests for schools and community groups to capture plastic bags and film, which can’t be recycled curbside because they jam sorting equipment.

Riverside’s haul was the best among all participating middle schools with less than 500 students and was third best among all middle schools in the country. In recognition of their effort, the school was awarded a Trex bench manufactured from recycled plastics, plus $2,500 to support a future school project. 

Burlington County Commissioner Dan O’Connell visited the school and congratulated the students and staff for their extraordinary accomplishment.

“Burlington County takes a lot of pride in being a state leader in recycling, but the students and staff at Riverside Middle School have gone above and beyond,” said O’Connell. “Their service has kept more than a ton of plastics out of our landfill and set an example for other schools, students and adults to get engaged in recycling and sustainability. By working together, we can accomplish anything and these Riverside students, teachers and administrators proved that.”

The schools’ plastics drive was led by the school Kindness Club but grew to include the entire student body, staff and administration. The Riverside Police Department also got involved and contributed plastics, as did several businesses in the region.

Riverside Middle School is participating in the recycling contest again this academic year and is already on track to exceed their last round totals.

The NexTrex Recycling Challenge registration is now open for schools and community groups. Those that collect 1,000 pounds of plastic film and bags in a year will receive a free bench. Follow these simple steps:

• Register at NexTrex.com.
• Trex will supply recycling bins and posters.
• Select a 12-month period to collect 1,000 pounds of plastic film & bags.
• Weigh & report your totals at my.trex.com.
• Make an appointment to deliver your plastic to the Burlington County Recycling Center in Westampton.

Businesses Can Recycle Plastic Film and Wrap too!

Businesses are also able to bring plastic bags, wraps and other plastic film to the Recycling Center by appointment. It’s an inexpensive way to go green and help protect our environment.

More than 10,000 pounds of plastic bags and film has been recycled at the County Recycling Center by groups participating in the Trex challenge.

“More than five tons of plastics has been kept out of our landfill and repurposed as green-friendly building materials,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Tom Pullion, the liaison to the Department of Solid Waste and Recycling. “Burlington County became a drop-off location to encourage more participation to help recycle plastics and we’re encouraged by the results. It’s helping to save landfill space and the tipping fees Burlington County towns pay to dispose of trash.”

If you have Trex Program questions or wish to schedule a delivery of plastic film/bags, email recycle@co.burlington.nj.us or call 609-499-1001, ext. 4309.