Environmental stewardship is not an option at Trex, it’s a priority. We were the first to invent and make wood-alternative decking from recycled materials and have been at the forefront of eco-friendly innovation for more than 20 years, well before green became a buzzword.

Green is simply in our DNA. Here are five ways we stay green.

1. A Leader In Recycling

As one of the largest polyethylene plastic recyclers in the United States, Trex turns commercial and household plastics, such as newspaper sleeves, dry-cleaning bags and sandwich bags, into eco-friendly decking. Plastic dropped off at recycling bins at many of the major retailers in the country eventually makes its way to our plants in Winchester, VA, and Fernley, NV, where we combine it with reclaimed wood scrap to create our beautiful boards.

Our partnership with people who value recycling helps us keep more than 400 million pounds of plastic and wood scrap out of landfills every year.

2. Clean Manufacturing

Trex uses earth-friendly manufacturing processes in an effort to keep our communities clean and healthy. Our proprietary, eco-friendly processing method does not require the use of smoke stacks, and nearly 100% of our factory runoff and refuse are recycled back into the manufacturing line. Our trailers even run on vegetable-based oil hydraulics.

3. Green Partnerships

Trex supports the work of the U.S. Green Building Council to transform the way building and communities are designed, built and operated. Our goal is to create environmentally and socially responsible outdoor spaces that improve the quality of life for us all. These efforts are a key driving force in a building industry that pushes for a greener future.

Trex also works to educate the nation’s youth about the importance of a sustainable world. Each year, thousands of students hold a friendly competition to see who can recycle the most plastic film.  After collecting and weighing the plastic, they send it on to us and we award those who have collected the most with a bench made from our composite decking boards. The challenge begins each year on America Recycles Day and ends just in time for Earth Day in April.

4. Trees

Trex has never cut down one tree to make our wood-alternative products. Never.

5. Trees For The Future

Speaking of trees, in conjunction with Trees for the Future, one tree is planted for every piece of Trex Outdoor Furniture sold. Trees for the Future is dedicated to planting trees in rural communities in the developing world, enabling them to restore their environment, grow more food and build a sustainable future. To date, nearly 22,000 trees were planted through this partnership.

When you buy Trex Outdoor Furniture, you’re not only planting trees, you’re also making another commitment to eco-friendly recycling. Our furniture is made from post-consumer, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic – such as milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles and bottle caps.  You can enjoy sitting on your stylish and durable rocker, swing and bench so much more when you know you haven’t depleted the backyard that surrounds you.

In the end, all of us want to look out on our decks and know that we’ve done our part. To learn more, take a look at the Trex story.