Building A Greener Future: Trex’s Eco-Friendly Revolution in Outdoor Living

As someone who is responsible for environmental strategies and opportunities at Trex, I witness firsthand how deeply our commitment to eco-stewardship is ingrained in our corporate culture. For me, this dedication to having a positive impact on our planet extends beyond my professional role; it's a personal mission.

I grew up in southwest Virginia, watching my father sell heavy equipment for strip mining – a contentious industry at the time. This upbringing made me acutely aware of the delicate balance between industry and the environment. Knowing that Trex's efforts to enhance standards for sustainable products and practices contribute to both ecological and business success is incredibly fulfilling.

The Growth of Sustainable Innovation

Nearly 30 years ago, Trex was born from a groundbreaking idea – transforming plastic waste into premium composite decking. This innovation provided an eco-friendly alternative to traditional wood, and also helped create a recycling stream for the growing issue of plastic waste. Today, Trex is not only the leading brand in the composite category, but also sets the bar for polyethylene film recycling.

In fact, Trex is one of North America's largest recyclers of plastic film. Since our inception, we've diverted more than five billion pounds of plastic from landfills and waterways. In the past year alone, we reused more than 320 million pounds of plastic film, converting it into our high-performance, low-maintenance Trex decking.

Trex’s sustainability journey is distinguished by several significant milestones. In 2010, we became the first brand certified by the International Code Council (ICC) for our eco-friendly decking made from 95% recycled content. In 2017, we commissioned the first life-cycle analysis (LCA) of Trex decking to better understand the environmental impact of our manufacturing processes. This report revealed numerous opportunities for improvement in water usage, waste management, and energy consumption. Around that same time, ESG (environmental, social, and governance) investing was gaining traction, creating the ideal foundation from which to maximize Trex’s sustainability efforts. I was excited to be involved in these initiatives, and in 2019, we conducted a follow-up LCA that highlighted significant positive changes in our manufacturing practices. That same year, we also issued our inaugural company-wide ESG report, broadening our focus beyond environmental and recycling efforts to include our people and communities. And in June of this year (2024), we released our latest Sustainability Report showcasing our ongoing progress toward sustainability and circularity.

An Evolving Marketplace

The power of consumers in driving change is undeniable. When I first joined Trex, the eco-friendly aspects of our product line were not a primary focus and certainly not a key selling point. Our sales team had just one standalone "green" brochure, a stark contrast to the prominent positioning of our environmental practices in Trex’s marketing and merchandising today.

In recent years, sustainability has become a crucial factor in consumer decision-making, especially in the home improvement sector. Today’s homeowners are prioritizing not only aesthetics and functionality but also considering the environmental impact of their choices. Recognizing this shift, Trex has strategically positioned itself as a leader in eco-forward innovations, offering products that embody durability, beauty, and sustainability.

Conscious purchasing, where the environmental impact of a product is a critical consideration, is now central to market dynamics. Consumer behavior trends increasingly highlight the importance of sustainability. According to a January 2024 study by the Cleveland Research Company, nearly 40% of US consumers rate sustainability as highly important, scoring it a 9 on a 10-point scale. This sentiment is particularly strong among Millennials and higher-income consumers, with 70% willing to pay a premium for products that make a lighter impact on the environment. 

Continuous Improvement and Collaboration

At Trex, we refuse to be complacent and rest on our environmental laurels. Our dedication to sustainability is unwavering, and we are constantly seeking new ways to reduce waste, as well as to use our resources more efficiently. Our commitment to innovation drives us to continuously evaluate and enhance our “green” practices.

Trex sees itself as an integral part of a larger environmental movement aimed at diverting waste from landfills. Through our award-winning NexTrex® recycling initiatives, we partner with thousands of retailers, schools, and grassroots community groups across the country to responsibly recycle plastic waste, and our efforts to manufacture the most earth-friendly products possible is supported by discerning, eco-minded shoppers. It’s truly remarkable to think that our products begin as pieces of discarded plastic, which we upcycle into high-performance decking that will last for decades.

Education is also fundamental to our efforts. Our long-standing school and community recycling programs exemplify our dedication to teaching young people about the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling. We’re investing in the next generation who will grow up to be tomorrow’s environmentalists and informed eco-savvy consumers. 

Join the Eco-Friendly Movement

Looking ahead, Trex will continue to invest in research and development to enhance environmental initiatives, aiming to set new benchmarks for the industry. Personally, I believe that Trex is more than a brand—it's a movement toward a greener, more sustainable future. By choosing Trex, you're not just investing in premium outdoor living products; you're supporting a company dedicated to transforming waste into valuable resources and making a lasting positive impact on our planet.