New Lexington Project Seeks to Give your Plastic Bags a Second Life

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Lexington’s Sustainability section wants your plastic bags.

Plastic bags are not recyclable in blue recycling carts or dumpsters, but through a partnership with NexTrex, they can be collected to make something new.

Residents can bring their plastic bags, produce bags and other plastic film to drop-off locations throughout Lexington until 1,000 pounds of plastic waste is received.

The plastic will be sent to NexTrex to be recycled into a bench, which will then be donated to Lextran to promote alternatives to driving.

“Benches not only enhance the beauty of a stop but also provide a better experience for riders that makes waiting more pleasant,” said Emily Elliott, Director of Planning and Community Development for Lextran. “We’re grateful to have the opportunity to place a new bench at a stop that needs one.”

Items that can be dropped off in the NexTrex bins include plastic grocery bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, produce bags and dry cleaning bags. These thin plastics are not able to be recycled through Lexington’s Recycle Center.

“This is a great opportunity to recycle items that we can’t take at the Recycle Center,” said Julie Hatter, Plant Manager for the Lexington Recycle Center. “Plastic bags and film get tangled in our sorting equipment, causing breakdowns and slowing down our recycling process. We also don’t have an outlet for plastic bags, so this is a chance for people to keep them out of the landfill.”

Several of Lexington’s Green Check partner businesses have volunteered as drop-off locations for the challenge. Plastic bags and other accepted items can be dropped off at the beige and green NexTrex bins during business hours. All plastic must be clean, dry and free of food residue.

-Good Foods Co-op, 455 Southland Drive

-LFUCG Government Center, 200 East Main Street

-Lextran, 200 West Loudon Ave.

-Lex Center for Creative Reuse, 110 Luigart Court, Unite 150

-Wild Birds Unlimited, 152 North Locust Hill Drive

Courtesy: www.wkyt.com