Plastic Recycling Challenge
May 14, 2026
This article appears in the May Issue of Reflections and Connections
Sisters, Associates, and staff at the CSA Motherhouse have joined the “NexTrex Recycling Challenge” to remove as many soft plastics from the waste stream as possible. To expand the reach of this effort, CSA’s Office of Justice, Peace, Integrity of Creation, led by Tracy Abler, created partnerships with Pilgrim United Church of Christ, Badger Soft Water (salt bags), and Fond du Lac Food Pantry (pallet wrapping).
Together, they collect, sort, weigh, and record the plastics before delivering them to drop-off sites. When considering the weight of plastic grocery bags, cereal box liners, bubble wrap, and other similar soft plastics, their goal of 250 pounds each quarter seems lofty, and yet, in just one month, volunteers gathered 200 pounds. The materials are recycled into Trex decking and outdoor furniture which, when purchased, close the recycling loop and keep the plastic out of the landfill.
“Partnerships are the key to our success,” said Abler. “Dedicated members of the Pilgrim UCC Green Team pick up salt bags and pallet wrapping several times a month. It is heartening to know that volunteer efforts can have such a huge impact but challenging to know how much more is still not being recycled.”
The industrial scale of plastic use at Badger Soft Water and the food pantry highlight how quickly waste can add up, but households can still have a huge impact. Abler shared, “Ultimately, our goal is for everyone to avoid purchasing single-use plastics whenever possible, while also knowing it’s nearly impossible to eliminate plastic entirely. We can all make small steps though, such as using reusable grocery bags, buying juice and milk in cardboard or glass, avoiding plastic water or soda bottles, using bars of soap instead of bottles, et cetera.”
This challenge is one more way that CSA is working to advance the goals of the Laudato Si’ Movement.
Choose Your Own Level of Challenge
Level 1: Reduce your plastic consumption.
Level 2: Recycle your soft plastics at community collection spots.
Level 3: Participate in Plastic Free July!