You’ll soon see a new bench sitting in Hooper Park in downtown Waynesburg, thanks to the Lions Club of Waynesburg. Through their community-minded recycling efforts, they were able to gather enough recyclable plastic to receive a free bench to be added to the park and donated it earlier this year.
Every year, the Lions embrace a community project suggested by the District Governor’s wife. The year before the bench, the group collected plastic bags to convert to plarn; this plarn was woven into hundreds of mats for the homeless. Some club members are still involved in weaving plarn into mats and delivering them to places that can give them to those in need.
The Lions Club worked with the outdoor furniture company Trex, which “hosts collection programs to promote plastic film and bag recycling,” according to Stephanie Hicks, Materials Resource Coordinator. Trex provided three recycling bins and a poster to promote the challenge. To earn their free bench, the Lions had to collect 500 pounds or more of plastic within a six-month period, weigh and record the amount of plastic, and then deliver it to a participating retailer – in this case, Waynesburg Giant Eagle – and then report the collected totals to Stephanie each month.
“There’s an unbelievable amount of plastic out there that can be recycled but isn’t,” Eleanor Chapman, a member of the Waynesburg Lions Club, shares. “It’s a shame because it just goes to landfills.”
Almost any plastic bag or sheets can be collected for the project. This includes pallet wrap, stretch film, grocery bags, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, ice bags, wood pellet bags, ziplock bags, produce bags, bubble wrap and air pillows, salt bags, and cereal bags. All of the plastic must be clean, dry and free of food residue before turning it in.
The Lions began collecting plastic on October 1st, 2019 and by December 10th, had met the 500 pound goal. They ordered their bench – a 48-inch black bench – and received it in mid-January and “we didn’t have to pay a dime.” The color was chosen so that it would match its new home in Hooper Park. There is currently room for a second bench to be placed in the park and after waiting their 6 months from the start date of the last project, the Lions are now able to start sending in plastics to receive a second bench.
The Lions worked with other groups in the community to spread the word about their plastic collection, like the Greene County Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. Other area Lions Clubs also assisted with the project. West Greene Lions Club started their own plastic drive and have enough for their own bench. Jefferson-Morgan Lions have also started collecting for their own bench and should have one soon.
“It’s a great project for schools and community organizations,” Eleanor says. She suggests to not sign up until you are absolutely ready because the six months starts at sign-up. Plastics must be stored in clear recyclable plastic bags; from her experience, Eleanor shares that a 30 gallon bag will hold about 10 pounds of plastic once it’s compressed tightly. Anyone that needs help getting started or with the project can reach out to her or the Lions Club with questions.
“It’s nice to get the community involved in a project like this,” Eleanor says. “It helps people get more concerned about their plastics and what happens to them. People that aren’t as engaged in community events can get involved easily.”