Eco-Friendly, Recycled Plastic Decking

Always Green - Trex Recycling

We make Trex® eco-friendly composite decks from an innovative blend of 95% recycled plastic film and reclaimed sawdust—that’s almost the whole thing. On top of that, our company uses some of the most earth-friendly manufacturing processes in the country, reclaiming factory waste and eliminating the use of harmful chemicals. Trex offers consumers a truly environmentally responsible choice with our recycled components. Being green is in our DNA. We've been this way nearly 30 years, well before green was a buzzword. Because in the end, all of us want to look out on our decks and know that we’ve done our part.

Green Videos Recycling Programs

Why A Trex® Composite Deck Is A Green Deck

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Reclaimed timber

Locally sourced reclaimed timber that would otherwise end up in a landfill finds its way into Trex high-performance composite decks. By using reclaimed sawdust, we never have to cut down a tree to make our products. Ever.

 

Recycled Plastic Film

The reclaimed timber in our decks is combined with Trex-recycled plastic film and other recycled components ranging from the overwrap on paper towels to dry cleaner bags, sandwich bags, newspaper sleeves, and grocery and shopping bags. Here’s an interesting fact: A 20’x20’ deck contains more than 1,500 lbs of recycled and reclaimed timber and plastic film.

A Sustainable Supply Chain

Trex takes an active role to ensure our supply vendors operate with ethical and responsible business practices. Approximately 95% of our supply vendors are based in the U.S. We conduct supply chain assessments, including in-person reviews, operating facility tours, and work with our suppliers to reduce environmental impact across the supply chain. As a result, we make it a practice to use post-consumer and post-industrial content wherever possible.

The Big Picture

Trex works along with other U.S. Green Building Council members to transform the way building and communities are designed, built and operated with the goal of creating environmentally and socially responsible spaces that improve the quality of life.

Learn More About our Commitment To Sustainability

Go Ahead, Try Us

Explore Trex's eco-friendly recycled decking boards and other decking products, or order a sample to get a closer look.

 

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Recycling Is A Beautiful Thing

As one of the largest plastic film recyclers in the U.S., Trex recycling saves 1 billion+ pounds of plastic film and reclaimed wood from landfills each year.

  • A standard 4.88 metre Trex board contains recycled material from approximately 2,250 plastic bags.
  • The average 45 square-metre composite Trex deck contains more than 140,000 recycled plastic bags, films, and wraps.
  • The entire high-performance Trex decking portfolio is manufactured using more than 95% recycled content.

In addition to contributing to a healthier environment, our earth friendly recycled decking also contributes to your LEED points—not to mention your good karma. Trex products contribute up to five LEED points to any structure. Learn about Trex and the LEED Green Building Rating System™.

Created in part by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is a point-based system designed to honour building projects that incorporate efficient, cost-effective and safe eco-friendly products. Trex products can add up to five points to your project—four points in the Materials and Resources category for being composed of up to 95% recycled materials, and one point in the Innovation and Design category.

Recycling Programs

Care to help us keep things green? Join one of our Trex recycling programs and win fabulous prizes.

In Comparison With Pressure-Treated Lumber Over a 25-Year Period, The Environmental Impacts of Trex Decking Are:

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    42% Fewer

    Greenhouse Gas Emissions
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    48% Fewer

    Criteria Air Pollutants
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    43% More

    Energy Use and Feedstocks
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    86% Less

    Acidification
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    90% Less

    Eutrophication
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    54% Less

    Smog
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    27% More

    Public Supply Process Water Use

Product Process

Trex’s manufacturing process is as green as its final product -- with a proprietary processing method that eliminates the use of smoke stacks. Additionally, nearly all our scrap composite materials are reclaimed and incorporated back into production processes. Trex transforms these materials into eco-friendly decking that has a smaller carbon footprint than timber. Learn more about the process:

#1:

Sawdust And Plastic Film Are Purchased

#2:

Plastic Film Is Cleaned And Ground Into Granules

#3:

Plastic Film And Sawdust Are Combined And Heated

#4:

Mixture Is Mixed To A Soft, Pliable Consistency

#5:

Mixture Is Formed Into Boards Using Profile Dies

#6:

Boards Are Cooled And Cut To Length

#7:

Boards Are Inspected By Quality Control For Defects, Strength And Colour Accuracy

#8:

Finished Boards Are Wrapped And Shipped

We Haven't Felled One Tree In The Making Of Trex High-Performance Composite Decking. Ever.

Green Projects & Affiliations

Trex regularly seeks third-party audits to ensure it is continually improving its green practices while meeting all environmental, health and safety guidelines and industry regulations. Here are a few organisations we’ve joined forces with to help build a greener outlook for our planet:

The BASF Near Zero Energy Home In Paterson, NJ

The Solar Decathalon, A Collegiate Green Building Competition

The National Building Museum's "The Green House" Exhibit In Washington, D.C.

Maui Wildlife Refuge Complex, Kealia Pond NWR in Hawaii

Point Defiance Zoo, Theatre And Kids Zone In Tacoma, WA

Industry Recognition

Widely recognised as the leading eco-friendly choice for decks and deck railings, Trex has always been at the forefront of the green building industry. As a proud member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Trex collaborates with leaders from every sector of the building industry to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated with the goal of creating environmentally- and socially-responsible spaces that improve the quality of life for everyone.

Trex has received numerous environmental awards, including:

  • Trex was named to the Barron’s "100 Most Sustainable Companies" list for 2024, coming in at #68
  • Green Installer magazine's Readers' Choice award for "Greenest" decking (13 consecutive years) - a testament to our commitment to responsible construction, from the people who know it better than anyone.
  • Lowe’s honoured Trex with its 2023 Sustainability Award for the company’s commitment to manufacturing sustainably made, timber-alternative decking.
  • Indiana Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for the Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge.
  • Named one of the 100 Best ESG Companies for 2023 by Investor’s Business Daily. Trex was selected from more than 6,000 global companies based on its high composite score for ESG sustainability.
  • The Governor of Virginia's Environmental Award for "impressive tonnage of recycled grocery bags and pallet wrap kept out landfill"
  • Connecticut College's Inherit the Earth Gold Medal for "demonstrating that business can be profitable, while meeting the needs of environmental sustainability"
  • The Governor of Virginia's Environmental Excellence First-Place Award for "Outstanding Environmental Projects" (twice received)
  • Winslow Management Company's Green Award for companies that positively contribute to both the environment and their shareholders
  • The "Excellence in Plastics Recycling" award from the Society of Plastic Engineers Recycling Division
  • In conjunction with Trees for the Future, one tree is planted for every piece of Trex Outdoor Furniture sold. More than 22,000 trees have been planted through this partnership.

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