Chatham County Recycling Center Launches New Soft Plastics Recycling Program
The Chatham County Recycling Center is taking a big step forward in sustainability with the launch of a new soft plastics recycling program, thanks to an exciting partnership with NexTrex, a company that specializes in creating wood decking from recycled plastics.
Ally Findlay, the center’s activities coordinator, shared details about this initiative during a recent episode of The Chat, the official podcast of Chatham County government. The new program expands the types of plastics the center accepts and makes it easier for residents to recycle items that usually end up in landfills.
What’s Included in the Soft Plastics Program?
Up until now, the Chatham County Recycling Center primarily accepted hard plastics, such as water bottles and milk jugs (plastics #1 and #2). With the addition of the NexTrex partnership, residents can now recycle soft, stretchy plastics like plastic grocery bags, Ziploc bags, and other flexible plastic packaging.
Ally explains that stretchy plastics are different from their harder counterparts and require special processing. These items need to be kept separate from hard plastics because they are used for different purposes in the recycling process. Stretchy plastics are collected at the center and sent to NexTrex, where they are transformed into high-quality, eco-friendly wood decking.
The NexTrex Partnership: Turning Plastic Waste into Decking
NexTrex is known for creating wood decking from 95% recycled plastic polymers. Through the partnership with the Chatham County Recycling Center, NexTrex receives the raw material needed for their decking products directly from local recyclers.
Ally couldn’t be more excited about the collaboration, saying, “It’s amazing to see plastic waste that would have taken hundreds of years to decompose in a landfill being turned into a product that people can actually use, like a backyard deck. This is exactly the kind of sustainability work I’m passionate about.”
How to Participate in the Soft Plastics Program
If you’re wondering how you can help, it’s simple! Gather your clean, stretchy plastic bags, Ziploc bags, and similar items, and bring them to the Chatham County Recycling Center. Make sure the items are free from food waste and other contaminants, as they must be clean to be processed.
However, not all plastics qualify for this program. Crunchy plastics, like chip bags and packaging with shiny, aluminum-like linings, should not be included. Ally explains that the key is in the flexibility: "If it stretches, it can be recycled with this program."
Why This Matters
The introduction of this program is a win for the community and the environment. Not only does it provide an easy way to recycle more materials, but it also contributes to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills. Plastics, particularly soft plastics, can take hundreds or even thousands of years to break down. By recycling these items, residents can help divert waste and support a circular economy, where products are reused and repurposed rather than discarded.
For more information on what the Chatham County Recycling Center accepts and how you can participate in their programs, visit their website or call or email to book a tour. You can also see the amazing recycled art installations while you’re there!