Composite Deck Manufacturer Trex Touts Upcycled Film in 2022 ESG Report

Trex, a manufacturer of decking and railing, has recently published its 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report.

The document showcased the company's advancements in circularity, energy reduction, occupational safety and other sustainability-focused initiatives.

 “2022 was a dynamic year in which we effectively navigated challenging market conditions. While we were faced with these challenges, we upheld our commitment to long-term growth and sustainability, thanks to the dedication of our team and the quality of our products,” commented Bryan Fairbanks, Trex president and CEO.

Fairbanks added that a consumer shift to sustainable products boosted Trex's status in the outdoor living product category. The company's wood-alternative decking and railing is composed of 95 percent reclaimed and recycled materials.

Trex upcycled nearly 340 million pounds of waste polyethylene (PE) film, cementing it as one of the largest recyclers of film bags, wrapping and packaging in North America. The company added more than 5 billion pounds of recycled PE film was diverted and recycled since its founding in 1996.

"The company is working to reduce its energy use and climate impact and is positioned to make further progress in developing a strategy for reducing GHG emissions," Trex stated.

Occupational health and safety measures also were included in the report. The company stated that a more proactive approach to safety allowed it to reduce lost-time incident rate (LTIR) by 50 percent year over year. It also provided employees with additional learning and development opportunities, expanded leadership training, team building and other measures.

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives included a focus on management positions for women and ethically diverse employees. 

Trex also emphasized governance and ethics are all levels of the organization to ensure oversight of ESG and sustainability practices at the Board level and senior leadership.

“I am sincerely grateful to our employees and partners who have enthusiastically contributed to ensuring that Trex's success is founded on sustainable principles,” Fairbanks said. “Trex was founded on sustainable principles and continues to make sustainability a priority. We are committed to finding new ways to improve our ESG performance in the years to come.”