The Cape Elizabeth Recycling Committee and Thomas Memorial Library are halfway to reaching a recycling goal of 1000 pounds of non-recyclable plastic film!  The challenge, which the committee began in the spring of 2024, is sponsored by the maker of Trex® composite decking.  Participants who collect 1000 pounds of plastic film by Earth Day, April 22, 2025, will be awarded a Trex furniture outdoor composite bench.  In less than 4 months, Cape Elizabeth has already collected 500 pounds using the collection bin located at the Thomas Memorial Library entryway.

The challenge is not just about reaching a goal, but about making a significant impact on our environment. By collecting plastics that are not recyclable in normal recycling bins -- such as bread bags or plastic mailers, we are keeping unrecyclable plastic out of the waste stream. This is a win-win for Cape Elizabeth.  In 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated that Americans used nearly 7 billion pounds of polyethylene films, bags, and wraps annually, and only 12% of that material was recovered for recycling.  Partnering with local repositories, Trex® helps keep 300-400 million pounds of plastic film from the waste stream each year.

The Recycling Committee is calling on volunteers to play a crucial role in this mission. By signing up for one or more weeks, volunteers will be responsible for weighing the plastic film collected at the library and delivering it to participating retailers such as Hannafords and Shaws. Your contribution will not only help us reach our goal but also sustain the program beyond the first year of the challenge.

To learn more about volunteering or to sign up as a volunteer, click below:

 To see which plastics are accepted with this challenge, click below: