23. Notes from the field: Trex lumber from recycled plastic bags

Plastic shopping bags are popular for their durability and ease of use.  But they're bad for the environment and not welcome in most MRFs either.  Locally we dispose of our unwanted plastic bags at Econofoods grocery stores (MN) in collection boxes provided by Trex.  Trex makes beautiful products from them.  The company states that in 2010 they collected over 3.1 million plastic bags for use in their products, making them the #1 plastic bag recycler in the U. S.. Private bag recycling projects are worth supporting.  Plastic bag deposits or use fees are sensible too.  If shoppers were all charged a quarter for each plastic bag used, it wouldn't take too long for cloth bags to become widely used instead.