Recycling Challenge earns Byram a new park bench

Byram Township would like its residents to know that the chance to win a new park bench is, quite literally, in the bag.

The township’s environmental commission has recently completed a community challenge to collect 500 pounds of soft plastic film in a six-month period. This is the equivalent of about 40,500 common grocery store bags.

The Recycling Challenge program is offered to municipalities, schools and civic organizations nationwide by the Virginia-based Trex Company. If enough pounds of eligible plastics are collected, the company awards a bench, made of recycled materials, to the participating group.

As a result of the overwhelming support of Township residents, the Environmental Commission was able to meet the goal in four months.

“We felt this program would give our residents a fun way to come together for two good reasons,” said Kathleen Parrish, chair of Byram’s Environmental Commission. “We can promote responsible recycling of plastics and, hopefully, improve our public parks.”

The Trex bench will be placed in Tamarack Park in the spring.

From bubble wrap to cereal box liners

The Environmental Commission approached the Recreation Committee to ascertain if they would be willing to sponsor a challenge to keep the momentum going and were thrilled that the committee agreed to do this.

Residents are asked to continue to drop off eligible plastics such as over-wraps from water bottle cases, bubble wrap, newspaper sleeves, cereal box liners, produce, bread and salt bags, and other such items.

Plastic items labeled with a No. 2 or 4 recycling symbol are also acceptable. Donated plastic materials must be clean, dry and free from food residue. Plastics are being collected in a designated bin located at the Byram Municipal Building at 10 Mansfield Drive, Stanhope.

“The Trex Company has successfully hosted the Recycling Challenge since 2006 with the objective of educating the public on the importance of plastic film recycling through community and municipality programs,” ,” said Trex materials sourcing manager Stephanie Hicks.

Since the program’s inception, more than 2,000 municipalities, schools and civic organizations have participated.

More information about the Recycling Challenge, as well as which plastics are acceptable and unacceptable, is available at recycle.trex.com, or by contacting Donna Fett by email at dfett@byramtwp.org.