Plastic Film Recycling Challenge Introduced In East Windsor

EAST WINDSOR, NJ – The Township will be participating in the “Trex Plastic Film Challenge,” enabling residents to recycle plastic film products, Mayor Janice S. Mironov announced.

Residents are encouraged to collect and recycle plastic bags and film, which can now be dropped off at the Public Works Facility on Ward Street & Etra Road and during East Windsor Township Recycling Days (next event, Wednesday, July 12 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.).

Residents can drop off the following plastic item:

• Grocery bags
• Bread bags
• Bubble wrap
• Dry cleaning bags
• Newspaper sleeves
• Ice bags
• Plastic shipping envelopes
• Ziplock and other re-closable food storage bags
• Cereal bags
• Case overwrap
• Salt bags
• Pallet wrap and stretch film
• Wood pellet bags and produce bags.

Trex manufactures composite decking and railing from recycled plastics that is reclaimed. To collect more bags and plastic film, the company sponsors an annual challenge program. Groups who collect more than 500 pounds of plastics within six months, are rewarded with a free bench.

“Plastics do not fully decompose but break down into smaller and smaller pieces, so these microplastics pose a huge risk to wildlife and are extremely difficult to clean up. Recycling plastic bags and film reduces harmful plastic pollution from littering our community, wildlife habitats and green spaces,” Mironov said.

"The Trex Challenge is a creative way to eliminate grocery bags and other plastic film from our waste stream, which need to be separated from the curbside recycling program as they can damage the mechanical equipment used during the recycling process.”

The mayor said East Windsor continues to be a leader in recycling. Last year, more than 14,000 tons of recyclables were collected in the Township.