East Windsor Township Introduces Plastic Film Recycling And Encourages Residents To Participate In Recycling Challenge

May 23, 2023

EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP. Mayor Janice S. Mironov announced East Windsor Township is participating in the "Trex Plastic Film Challenge," enabling Township residents to recycle plastic film products. 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.). The types of plastic film which can be dropped off for recycling are: 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 it reclaims from these collected grocery bags and other plastic film. To capture more bags and plastic film, Trex sponsors an annual challenge program rewarding groups who collect more than 500 pounds of plastics within six months with a free bench.

Mayor Mironov stated, "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. 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. Designating our Public Works Facility on Ward Street & Etra Road as a drop-off site enables residents to participate in the challenge."

"East Windsor Township continues to be a leader in recycling and last year, more than 14,000 tons of recyclables were collected in the Township, and this initiative expands those efforts." Mayor Mironov continued, "Not only is recycling plastic film beneficial for the environment, but it saves taxpayers money by helping to reduce landfill tipping fees."