Members of The Friends of Beltzville, in conjunction with park management, are collecting plastics such as grocery bags, bubble wrap, newspaper bags and cereal bags as part of NexTrex “Bags to Benches” project.

By collecting 1,000 pounds in a 12-month period the group will be awarded a bench for the park. The durable outdoor bench will be made with the materials collected.

NexTrex “diverts the plastic from landfills” and uses the plastics for outdoor living products, composite decks and railings.

Products that are collected include pallet wrap and stretch film. If it stretches, rather than rips, it can be recycled. Anything shiny or making a crinkly sound cannot be. All plastics collected are dry and clean. Some products, such as plastic wrappers from cases of water may even have a “NexTrex” logo on them.

Friends board member Diane Giffels said, “We can provide good use of what would end in a landfill. The park and public benefit from the bench.”

Once collected, the plastics are weighed and dropped off at Weis Supermarket for pick up. From there they will be shipped to NexTrex and put into 1,000 pound bales which are shipped to make outdoor furniture.

The Friends group says it should reach 1,000 pounds soon because it has collected 600 pounds since November.

Schools, churches and community groups are welcome to join the effort. For more information about NexTrex go to NexTrex.com.