Green Recycling Products Blog

As the exclusive mid-Atlantic distributor for Play Mart Products, The Fibrex Group would like to share this press release with you honoring Play Mart, Inc. This innovative and environmentally friendly business was honored for its commitment to the environment.

Play Mart, Inc was one of four businesses recently presented with the Evergreen Award by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The Evergreen Award Program was developed to annually recognize the efforts of partners who do business in an environmentally friendly way.

A total of 25 businesses were considered for the 2010 Evergreen Award. This Award was presented to a business in one of four categories. “These companies have done an outstanding job of making environmentally friendly options available to our federal customers and are committed to helping us reduce waste and save taxpayer dollars,” said Regional Administrator David H. Ehrenwerth. “We are honored to partner with companies that help us to green the government’s supply chain while creating a more sustainable environment and building a greener future.”

Play Mart, Inc., a manufacturer of recycled plastic commercial playground equipment, received the 2010 Evergreen Award in the Sports and Recreation category. A Woman-Owned / Family-Owned Small Business providing jobs in rural Kentucky, Play Mart manufactures 100% recycled plastic playground equipment and site amenities, diverting millions of jugs and bottles from landfills annually. Almost all of the company’s manufacturing waste, and more than 75% of the company’s operation waste, is recycled. The Take Back program ensures that the company’s products don’t go to landfills but are re-used and recycled. In 2010, Play Mart also eliminated its shop lighting and replaced it with an energy-efficient system of zoned and motion-detected fluorescent lighting. This change has provided an energy savings of nearly 7000 KWh per month which is equivalent to providing energy for 20 three bedroom houses annually.

The Evergreen Award itself “closes the recycling loop” in that it is made from recycled glass. The Award sets a high standard for other business partners to follow and is a wonderful example of how the federal government and businesses can work together. Play Mart is proud to be chosen by GSA as a partner that provide services and products that are environmentally sensitive and demonstrate its leadership in sustainability.

As the leading manufacturer of Recycled Plastic Play Systems, Play Mart celebrates 30 years of designing and manufacturing creative, age group specific play products (from 6 months to 12 years), fitness equipment, swings, site amenities, and ADA accessible components that meet and exceed current safety standards. All structural equipment is made from 100% recycled post-consumer HDPE. Recycled Structural Plastic and is low-maintenance with an outstanding warranty. Play Mart is a Woman-Owned / Family-Owned Small Business manufacturing a world-class product. Play Mart's products are sold nationally through a network of distributors as well as internationally. The Fibrex Group is the exclusive mid-Atlantic distributor for Play Mart, Inc. Contact us for more details on Play Mart products.

Did you know that in addition to our popular recycling containers, the Fibrex Group has an extensive collection of recycled plastic lumber site furnishings at competitive prices? Recently, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) decided to replace their old, weathered wood benches and trash cans.

Ms. Debbie Galvez, business manager at VIMS, discovered The Fibrex Group on the eVA purchasing portal/directory and decided to give us a call. She realized that due to their scenic, waterfront location that is subject to harsh elements, VIMS required a product that wouldn’t rot, crack, split, shrink, chip or require maintenance like similar wooden or metal products. VIMS decided on our stylish 6’ Envirodesign Victorian Bench which has the look of cast iron with the durability of recycled plastic. They also purchased various picnic tables including the Hexagon and ADA models to accommodate all of their employees and students, and the Envirodesign dome top waste receptacles. All of which never need painting or treating – and are immune to termites and insects, which is so important in a waterfront landscape!

VIMS’ order was promptly delivered by our staff (since we are in the same neck of the woods). All of their site furnishings fit in beautifully with the fresh Spring blooms and their breathtaking location on the river.

By purchasing products manufactured from recycled plastic content, VIMS saved 45,137 milk jugs from being disposed of in a landfill, thus solidifying their commitment to saving the environment and surrounding wetlands. They had indeed “closed the loop”.

The School of Marine Science (SMS) at VIMS is the graduate school in marine science for the College of William & Mary. Chartered in 1940, VIMS is currently among the largest marine research and education centers in the United States focusing on coastal and estuarine science. The VIMS 40-acre main campus is located in Gloucester Point, Virginia, near the mouth of the York River, a major tributary and passageway to Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The VIMS Gloucester Point campus lies about 13 miles east of the College of William and Mary along the Colonial Parkway. The close proximity to the river and ocean takes a heavy toll on outdoor benches, tables and trash receptacles.

In today’s environment, buying “GREEN” is more important than ever. The Fibrex Group fabricates 100% recycled plastic lumber made from post-consumer recycled plastic milk jugs. Our products are safe for both children and adults, as they do not splinter, absorb bacteria, or contain chemicals that may leach into the skin or soil like pressured treated wood.

Fibrex benches, picnic tables & site furnishings can be found in school play areas, commons areas, parks, sport & recreation facilities both indoors and outdoors. The uses of these products are limited by imagination only. They are perfect for use trail-side, dock-side, at nature centers, stadiums, and shopping/downtown areas– the potentials are endless!