Since launching into the Trex Community Challenge in March 2020, Warm Hearth Village (WHV) has transformed thousands of pounds of hard‑to‑recycle plastic film into durable outdoor benches—while building a culture of environmental stewardship across its campus. The resident‑led Green Committee has been the driving force behind this long‑running effort.
The Trex program allows community organizations to collect plastic grocery bags, newspaper sleeves, case overwrap, bubble wrap, and other thin plastic films that cannot be recycled through traditional single‑stream recycling systems. Based on pounds collected, currently 1,000 pounds in a calendar year, Trex awards a high‑performance composite bench made from 95% reclaimed wood and plastic film.
The entire Village embraced this challenge. Committee members gather plastic daily, weigh it monthly, and deliver it to the local Kroger. To date, WHV has recycled more than 8,000 pounds and earned 13 benches. More importantly, this poundage represents more than 640,000 plastic retail store bags (equivalent) that have been recycled, rather than ending up in a landfill. Two benches were donated to LewisGale Hospital Montgomery as a gesture of appreciation for the organizations’ longstanding partnership.
“Our residents and staff have embraced this project with such enthusiasm,” said Arthur Snoke, who is a leader of the Trex Bench Initiative. “Each bench is a reminder that sustainability isn’t a program here—it’s part of who we are as a community.”
William Lester, President and CEO, added “Collaboration among staff, residents, and the broader community is fundamental to Warm Hearth Village’s mission, with its vision reflected in a culture where individuals live and work together in community. The Green Committee’s forward-thinking initiatives exemplify this commitment and stand as a strong reflection of that culture.”
Beyond the Trex Challenge, the Green Committee has spearheaded a wide range of sustainability initiatives across campus, including:
- Educational campaigns on how, what, and where to recycle
- Junk mail recycling stations in apartment buildings and Showalter Center
- Invasive species removal twice monthly
- Pollinator garden enhancements, including curated plant lists
- Efforts to reduce maintenance needs by promoting perennial plantings
- Electronics recycling coordination for residents
- Support for WHV staff pursuing Federal grants for solar panels, electric bike storage, and expanded cardboard recycling
- Energy‑efficiency assessments through the AEP eScore Program
- Cardboard recycling for deliveries and supplies
- Dining removing Styrofoam take-out containers one year earlier than required by law.
- Green Upgrade Credit of up to $20,000 added to resident life leases.
Warm Hearth Village maintains seven Trex collection bins across campus to make participation easy for residents, staff, and visitors.
These green initiatives reflect WHV’s broader mission and vision of nurturing a transformative culture where innovative, passionate contributions strengthen the entire community—and the world beyond its campus.
