Oak Hammock residents turn plastic waste into community impact
Press release from Oak Hammock
BY ANNE RIKER GARLINGTON
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – When a group of Oak Hammock residents comes together with a shared purpose, their commitment creates lasting change.
Since fall 2024, Oak Hammock residents have been actively recycling plastic bags through the Trex® Recycling Challenge Program, and their efforts are paying off. Thanks to their dedication and the support of Trex®, several local community organizations, including churches and a synagogue, have received durable polyethylene benches made from recycled plastic.
This community recycling effort began last year when Oak Hammock resident Ellen Siegel, an environmental advocate and climate speaker specialist with the Climate Leadership Engagement Opportunities, or CLEO organization, taught a course on climate change through the Institute for Learning in Retirement, or ILR. Siegel, who has been teaching environmental impact and waste reduction issues for over six years, introduced the Trex® program as a practical way to reduce plastic waste and keep it out of landfills.
Inspired by the idea, fellow resident Nita Beckman immediately took action. “We have to see [Housekeeping Manager] Rebecca Snowden — right now!” she exclaimed. When they approached Snowden with the idea, she didn’t hesitate. “Rebecca acted immediately,” Siegel recalled. “She requested Trex® recycling boxes for every apartment building floor and one for the mailroom. That’s the Oak Hammock spirit in action.”
Beckman, a 17-year resident, added, “Plastic recycling is a great continuation of Oak Hammock’s community engagement and other recycling programs. It’s important for all of us to take part in making a difference for the environment.”
So far, Oak Hammock and other Gainesville participating organizations have recycled more than 4,200 pounds of plastic this year alone. The Trex® program rewards participating communities with a polyethylene bench for every 1,000 pounds of plastic collected annually. When Oak Hammock reached their first 1,000-pound milestone, in collaboration with other community groups, they qualified for a bench but generously donated it to Temple Shir Shalom in Gainesville, FL.
The Oak Hammock community continues to collect plastic bags and plans to donate their second bench next year. According to Sara Nussel, a local climate activist and community volunteer, “So far, two churches and a synagogue have received benches, and two more churches are next in line.”
The process is simple and efficient. Once the bins are filled, Snowden collects the plastic and gives it to Nussel, who delivers it to Publix — a participating grocery store — for weighing and processing.
Nussel is passionate about reducing landfill waste. “Taking action and doing something positive for our climate is essential and a tremendous environmental benefit,” she said.
Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Winchester, VA, Trex® Company, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of wood-alternative composite decking and other outdoor products made from recycled materials. With a market capitalization of $6.72 billion and annual revenues of $1.2 billion, Trex® launched its recycling program in 2006 as a community competition among schools — and it has grown exponentially since.
What types of plastic can be recycled through the program?
Qualifying items include plastic used for bread bags, produce bags, grocery bags, newspaper sleeves, dry-cleaning bags, and more. For a complete list of accepted materials and frequently asked questions, visit: Plastic Recycling FAQ
According to the Trex® website, the company is working to expand its recycling outreach by creating more drop-off locations beyond grocery stores, helping divert even more plastic from landfills. Since the program began, over 400 million pounds of plastic have been recycled in local communities across the country. The environmental benefits are tremendous.
Snowden remains a strong advocate for following sustainable practices. “Oak Hammock launched its recycling program in 2004 and has grown to include more materials and initiatives over the years,” she said. “Several residents have expressed how passionate they are about sustainability and our recycling practices, and many even share photos of their progress with me.”
Oak Hammock residents continue to lead the way in environmental stewardship. The plastic bag recycling initiative is just one of the many meaningful projects helping preserve our planet for future generations.