Dear Editor,
The Springfield Rotary Club recently presented its 15th recycled bench to Union Street Elementary School. Next in line for the program are the Springfield Lions Club Dog Park, Springfield VFW, and Elm Hill Elementary School.
We have learned that Trex has changed the incentives for program participation. Instead of earning a bench after collecting 1,000 pounds of plastic bags and films, organizations that collect 250 pounds in a three‑month period will be entered, along with 24 other groups, into a prize drawing. The program details are at www.nextrex.com/view/programs.
What this means for our community: after collecting the 1,000 pounds we expected would produce a bench, we received only four raffle entries for this quarter’s drawing. There is now no guarantee that the next organization in line – the Springfield Lions Club Dog Park – will get a recycled bench.
Although this change is disappointing, the motivation behind the effort remains environmental stewardship. Over the past three years, our program has removed more than 7 tons of plastic film from the waste stream, and that positive impact should not be overlooked.
Please continue to bring your plastic film to the Springfield Town Library.
Sincerely,
Marty Cohn, Secretary
Springfield Rotary Club