Outer Banks Woman’s Club sets goal to collect 500 pounds of plastic bags

The Outer Banks Woman’s Club has set a goal of recycling 500 pounds of plastic bags by Dec. 1.

The club is requesting community support by collecting and depositing plastic bags at the following locations:

  • YMCA (3000 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head)
  • The Baum Center (309 Mustian Street, Kill Devil Hills)
  • Joe Lamb Realty (4607 N. Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk)

All plastic bags need to be clean, dry, and free of food residue. Club members have also requested that the bags be flattened out before putting them in the designated receptacles.

At the end of the six-month period, Trex Company, Inc. will recycle the bags into a bench to be located within the OBX community. Trex Company, Inc. is the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative composite decking, railing, and other outdoor items made from recycled materials.

Recycling plastic bags reduces the amount of energy usage, raw materials, pollution, as well as the waste Americans produce. It also provides several other environmental benefits.

Saves Energy: The manufacturing process of plastic bags is a long and complicated one. Therefore, it consumes a significant amount of energy. Recycling plastic bags uses energy as well, since they have to be shredded, cleaned, melted, and remolded, but the energy required is relatively less than what it takes to make fresh plastic bags.

According to a study, recycling 1 ton of plastic bags saves electric energy equivalent to 5,774 kilowatts/hour!

Reduces Oil: Consumption The plastic needed to manufacture plastic bags is made from natural gas or crude oil derivatives. This means that the more plastic bags are manufactured the more nonrenewable fossils fuel will be consumed.

However, recycling plastic bags can cut back on oil consumption significantly. According to a study, recycling 1 ton of plastic bags saves crude oil equivalent to 16.3 barrels.

Reduces Waste: Since plastic bags do not biodegrade, they always exist in landfills and oceans. Nevertheless, recycling used plastic bags significantly decreases the amount of waste that goes to landfills. This helps to reduce land and water pollution as landfills play a major role in the destruction of our environment.

Encourages Sustainable Use: The recycling of plastic bags promotes their careful and sustainable use. Today, recycling plastic bags is easier than ever, as up to 80% Americans have access to recycling programs. Nevertheless, although plastic bag recycling facilities are available, the amount recycled is still relatively low and needs significant improvement.

Contact Environment CSP Co-Chair Jo Williams at http://www.jovince@gmail.com with questions or for more information about the project.

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