We make Trex® eco-friendly composite decks from an innovative blend of up to 95% recycled plastic film and reclaimed sawdust—that’s almost the whole thing. 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.
Locally sourced reclaimed wood 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.
The reclaimed wood 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 wood and plastic film.
Trex takes an active role to ensure our supply vendors operate with ethical and responsible business practices. Approximately 90% 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.
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.
As one of the largest plastic film recyclers in the U.S., Trex recycling saves about 1 billion+ pounds of plastic film and reclaimed wood from landfills each year.
Trex has hosted the NexTrex Recycling Challenge since 2006 with the objective of educating the public on the importance of plastic film recycling. Participants collect plastic film with the goal of recycling a minimum of 1,000 pounds of plastic in a 12-month period. If the goal is met the group is awarded a Trex bench. Over 3,300 community groups and schools have participated in the program. They help divert approximately 1.5 million pounds of plastic film away from landfills annually.
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 four LEED points in the Materials and Resources category 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 honor building projects that incorporate efficient, cost-effective and safe eco-friendly products.
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:
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 wood. Learn more about the process:
Sawdust And Plastic Film Are Purchased
Plastic Film Is Cleaned And Ground Into Granules
Plastic Film And Sawdust Are Combined And Heated
Mixture Is Mixed To A Soft, Pliable Consistency
Mixture Is Formed Into Boards Using Profile Dies
Boards Are Cooled And Cut To Length
Boards Are Inspected By Quality Control For Defects, Strength And Color Accuracy
Finished Boards Are Wrapped And Shipped
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 organizations we’ve joined forces with to help build a greener outlook for our planet:
Widely recognized 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:
