Program diverts nearly 18,000 pounds of plastic from landfill before Trex ends initiative
Beginning in 2018, the Huntsville Lions Club launched a community recycling initiative, collecting plastic bags and stretchable plastic film to be sent to Trex Corporation. In return, the club earned a bench for the community. On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the Lions proudly installed their 21st and final bench at the Walker County Chamber of Commerce.
This achievement was made possible through partnerships with First Presbyterian Church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Tomorrow’s Promise Montessori School, the Huntsville Junior Service League, and the Christian Community Construction team. Together, these groups helped gather the plastic needed to place benches throughout Huntsville.
Over the years, the program requirements evolved from collecting 500 pounds of plastic to 1,000 pounds per bench. Recently, Trex discontinued the bench program entirely, regardless of the amount of plastic collected. As a result, Huntsville Lions Club will no longer participate, as no additional benches will be awarded.
Plastic collection was supported by numerous local businesses, including Huntsville Feed, Walker County Feed, City Electric, El Patio Restaurant, Vera Bank, First Financial Bank, Prosperity Bank, Dr. Pruski’s office, Snap Fitness, Diana K. Barnes State Farm Agent, Lone Star Commissary, and Tractor Supply. Even community groups like the yoga group at the Methodist Church and the sleeping bag makers at University Heights Baptist Church participated.
Huntsville Lions Club extends a sincere thank you to everyone who contributed by collecting and donating plastic, as well as a special thank you to Home Depot for helping process the materials through to Trex. Through the years, approximately 18,000 pounds of plastic was diverted from the landfill and repurposed into usable outdoor furniture and building materials by Trex.
Although the program has ended, community members who wish to continue recycling plastic can still do so at Kroger, H-E-B, Brookshire Brothers, and Walmart.