Welcome

In February of 2023, the Rotary Club of Springfield Vermont embarked on a new venture to collect and recycle bags and plastics from household waste. Although bags plastics are ubiquitously in use, the economics of recycling them has been generally unattractive for businesses. Plastic film is not accepted at recycling centers. These plastics eventually make their way into our fresh-water lakes and oceans destroying habitats and damaging the environment. The objective of this drive is to increase awareness of this serious issue and invite community members in the region to become actively involved in addressing it locally.
  
The drive is supported by Shaw’s corporate office. The collected plastics are transported to a remote recycling center and pressed into 1000-pound bales which are then shipped to a Trex manufacturing plant in Virginia. Initially, the challenge offered us a recycled bench for every 1000 pounds collected.  We received 15 benches which were distributed to various Springfield organizations. The challenge changed in 2026 and no longer offered benches.  However, thanks to a grant from Rotary District 7870, we are able to purchase an additional five benches.
 
Here's a short video that explains the project.  
Here's a presentation by Emily Whitacre, Materials Sourcing & Promotions Coordinator for TREX 
 
To read about our fifth and sixth bench, click here. To read about our seventh and eighth bench, click here. To read about our ninth bench, click here. To read about our tenth bench, click here. To read about our eleventh bench, click here. To read about our twelfth bench, click here.  To read about our thirteenth bench, click here. To read about our fourteenth bench, click here. To read about our fifteenth bench, click here. We are beginning to collect for our sixteenth bench!
 
 
 
                   
 
 
 
.    
 
      
 
   
 
    
 
Sponsors