Another school year has come to an end, and now you need to move out of the dorm and back in with the parents. What are you going to do with that chair you inherited from your friend? Do you really need two microwaves or two sets of dishes at home? What about the homemade pirate costume you wore during the first week of classes but you’ll never wear again? College students accumulate a lot of stuff over the year, and residences often find themselves overwhelmed with waste on move-out day. This is not only inconvenient, but unsustainable as well. Resist the urge to abandon it in your room or throw it all in the dumpster! Here are three ways to get rid of your extra ‘stuff’ once classes are over:

1. Host a sale

Make a few extra bucks by selling your stuff! Host a yard/garage sale if you can get access to community space. Make an event out of it: recruit a few friends to sell their stuff too, and set up music and refreshments. Consider donating the proceeds to charity if you want to feel especially good when you move out.

2. Organize a central drop-off point and collaborate on bulk removal and recycling

Work with dorm staff to coordinate a central drop-off point for everyone’s ‘to go’ stuff—it’ll help keep the dumpsters clean and will discourage dumping in other areas, like rooms and hallways. Find a communal room where residents can drop off their unwanted items. Try to section off areas and label ‘electronics’, ‘furniture’, ‘kitchenware’ to encourage organization and recycling!!

3. Donate to a charity or thrift store

Find out which charities/thrift stores accept donations, and check out their ‘wish lists’ to see what they’re looking for. Make sure the items are in good enough condition to donate (ask the charity just to be sure).

The Fibrex Group always has low-cost solutions for your dorm and campus once you get back to school in August. Check out our Recycle Boxes and Dorm/School recycling bins to keep your university campus looking good!

Parts originally posted in Home Space

Applications are now being accepted for the Building Better Communities grant program, a partnership between the American Water Charitable Foundation (AWCF) and The National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA).

Building Better Communities is a five-year initiative designed to enhance public parks by creating and improving nature-based playgrounds and natural play areas for children, while also providing educational messaging and demonstration areas about water resources stewardship and conservation.  Building Better Communities projects are supported with funding from AWCF and implemented through annual grants administered by NRPA.

AWCF provided NRPA with $2.5 million to administer the Building Better Communities program over the next five years, according to program materials. The two organizations will work with local communities to enhance and protect open spaces, connect children to nature and provide education to help communities appreciate and protect natural resources.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the program will concentrate on helping local governments build nature-based playgrounds for children and provide environmental education programs related to water for adults. Grant applications are due May 30, 2014.

Building Better Communities grants of $50,000-to-$150,000 will fund projects in public parks that:

1. Build and enhance nature-based playgrounds and natural play spaces for children
2. Educate people on environmental stewardship practices related to water

“As people spend less time outdoors they have less of a connection to and appreciation of natural resources,” CEO and President of NRPA, Barbara Tulipane, said in a statement. “That’s why we are thrilled to be working with the American Water Charitable Foundation as it will help people, especially those in urban communities, deepen their connection with nature and foster a greater appreciation and responsibility around the conservation of water, a vital natural resource we must all use wisely.”

Grants from $50,000 to $150,000 will be awarded to fund projects in public parks that build and enhance nature-based play spaces for children or educate people on environmental stewardship practices related to water.

Fibrex Group, Inc. is the mid-Atlantic distributor for Play Mart playgrounds in the states of VA, MD, DC, DE & NJ. We offer & install recycled plastic lumber playground equipment which connects children to nature and their natural environment, without harming natural resources in the production process. Check out our spring sale at for some great deals on equipment for your park. But hurry, the offer ends June 30, 2014!

American City & County – 5/12/14

Part of what makes outdoor furniture sustainable is its sturdiness—its ability to last for years without requiring replacement. Another green factor are the materials from which the furniture is made. Fortunately for hoteliers, there is a wide variety of sustainable outdoor furniture available that uses strong green materials. A large percentage of that furniture is made from recycled plastic—primarily high density polyethylene (HDPE) from recycled milk jugs and other containers. Suppliers have their own names for the plastic material that can be used in the construction of furniture items ranging from chairs to tables to towel valets or caddies. Furniture made with a high percentage of HDPE will not chip, corrode or discolor and is impervious to insects, mold and moisture. It is also not affected by salt or chlorine. Outdoor Furniture made from recycled plastic can be recycled again at the end of its life.

Here is a rundown of one of the most prominent suppliers that sells outdoor furniture that includes recycled plastic content, or something similar:

Fibrex Group—Known for its selection of recycling centers, waste receptacles and other items such as playground equipment, Fibrex Group also offers site furnishings such as picnic tables and benches. Also around since 1990, Fibrex Group’s products are made from recycled plastic lumber that includes 95 percent post-consumer recycled HDPE. According to Fibrex Group, almost all of its manufacturing waste and more than 75 percent of its operation’s waste is recycled.

Excerpts - greenlodgingnews.com

Year after year, WasteExpo is the industry's largest conference and tradeshow of its kind, serving both the public and private sectors. This year’s Atlanta offering from April 28 through May 1, 2014 is being held at the Georgia World Congress Center. With more than 450 companies displaying their new products and services, new and expanded educational conferences including organics and recycling, exhibitors and attendees will have an enhanced payload of extensive industry content to discover.

Ruben Leenders, president of Fibrex Group, will be attending the show in Atlanta this week. He will be visiting some of our current and new vendors, and learning about new technology to enhance our Profile, Mobius, Igloo and Envirodesign products lines.

If you would like a daily update about WasteExpo, go to www.waste360.com and click on the ‘Coverage from WasteExpo’ banner. If you are at the show, the WasteExpo Show Dailies will help keep you abreast of what’s new and important so you don’t miss a thing, even if you’re in your booth all day. Twitter and Facebook pages will always allow you to to keep your finger on the pulse of everything that’s happening at WasteExpo.

Made in the USA since 1990, Fibrex Group’s green-design products are made from sustainable resources and always contain the maximum possible recycled content. We offer very competitive factory direct pricing on our entire selection of eco-friendly design products which are built to last and covered by the best warranties in the industry. Check us out at www.fibrexgroup.com or give us a ring at 1.800.346.4458 to see how we can help you achieve your waste diversion goals.

If you’re looking for an easy, fun way to show your support for the environment and eat healthy on Earth Day (April 22), we’ve got just the thing—an Earth Dinner! After all, every holiday has its own food tradition except Earth Day, until now. Start by planning a dinner with as many local, seasonal, and organic ingredients as possible – supporting local and organic farmers is a great way to celebrate Earth Day.

Then, get to know the story behind your food. Where did it come from? Who were the farmers? What is the history of each dish’s recipe, or the food itself? Finally, have some meaningful conversation about food, sustainable farming, and your own connection to the food, the earth, and each other.

And always recycle at home, school, work or play. Check out the Fibrex Group’s line of recycling containers and recycled plastic lumber site furnishings. We are the manufacturer’s rep for sustainable Play Mart Playgrounds in the mid-Atlantic. Whatever your needs, Fibrex can offer a collection or a play solution for you. Just check us out at www.fibrexgroup.com or give us a call at 1.800.346.4458.

Work. Play. Recycle.

Strengthen your commitment to sustainability with #adaywithoutwaste which is a sustainability awareness campaign that culminates in a day of collective action April 9, 2014.  The program aims to inspire us all to understand how our individual actions can come together to create lasting change, benefiting our environment and our futures.

Ditch your wasteful habits and try not to throw anything into the garbage on 4/9/14! And while you’re at it, recycle everything possible tomorrow and every day in the future. The Fibrex Group line of recycling collection products can assist you with that task at home, school or work. We manufacture a complete line of indoor and outdoor recycling bins that make it easy & convenient to recycle.

Be a #globalcitizen on April 9.

Work. Play. Recycle.

#ekocycle
#globalcitizen
#adaywithoutwaste
#fibrexgroup

Most of the country has finally felt the warm spring temperatures instead of the dreary and cold winter breezes that we have endured for months. Now is the perfect time to design and build a new playground for your school, church, daycare center, or neighborhood park. With Play Mart’s spring sales announcement, why not take advantage of this opportunity to get some recycled plastic equipment before the offer expires on June 30.

Fibrex Group offers a wide variety of recycled plastic lumber site furnishings and is an authorized distributor of Play Mart® Playgrounds recycled plastic play systems in the mid-Atlantic states of VA, MD, DE, DC & NJ. Choose from a wide variety of standard configurations, or work with our designers to create the park or playground of your dreams. We offer complimentary 2D & 3D design and site plan services, and are happy to come visit your site for a free consultation at your convenience. We can also handle your installation and surfacing needs with ease. Call or contact us today for your free full color catalog.

Budget constraints? Why wait? Finance a Play Mart playground! Upgrade your play site now, with monthly payments that fit your budget. We have financing plans that support our full product line. Call us to get pre-qualified now.

Spring is finally coming soon so why not spruce up your public outdoor spaces with a new recycled plastic park bench or recycled plastic picnic table? Check out Fibrex’s 2014 catalog for the best selection of designer site furnishings that will enhance any outdoor setting.

Our Envirodesign product line contains recycled plastic lumber benches, memorial benches, picnic tables, bike racks, ADA & youth picnic tables, trash/recycle receptacles & message centers. All of our products represent style and purpose and will fit in well with any setting. If you are on a tight budget or need a specific look you can find it here.

Recycled plastic is the material of choice and is made from plastic milk jugs. Recycling plastics conserves energy and natural resource and saves landfill space. Fibrex products are proudly made in the USA, are a 100% recycled product and come with a 15-year warranty.

Visit www.fibrexgroup.com or call 1.800.346.4458 for a custom quote.

Work. Play. Recycle.

Ever heard of Jon Bon Jovi or Bruce Springsteen? New Jersey rockers, politicians and growing families all call affluent Rumson, NJ their home. Rumson is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, and is part of the New York Metropolitan Area.

Fibrex Group is currently assisting Congregation B’Nai Israel in Rumson, with the design & install of their new Children’s Outdoor Exploratorium made by Play Mart® Playgrounds. The Exploratorium using Play Mart’s commercial and Nature of Early Play recycled plastic products, is the new centerpiece of CBI’s revitalized outdoor space. By utilizing Play Mart’s newest video design tool, CBI has been able to see exactly how their new playground will be built on the church campus. They will also be showing the video during their casino night fundraiser to potential donors on March 29.

Dennis Beach, founder of Play Mart Playgrounds, exclaims; “This rendering and video program is the most amazing that I have used in a long time! SketchUp is quick for a drawing and design program and eliminates lots of frustrations from programs like AutoCAD. However, our latest program is more amazing!”

Fibrex Group offers a wide variety of recycled plastic lumber site furnishings and is an authorized distributor of Play Mart® Playgrounds recycled plastic play systems in the mid-Atlantic (VA, MD, DE, DC & NJ). Choose from a wide variety of standard configurations, or work with our designers to create the park or playground of your dreams. We offer complimentary 2D & 3D design and site plan services, and are happy to come visit your site for a free consultation at your convenience. We can also handle your installation and surfacing needs with ease. Call or contact us today for your free full color catalog.

Ever heard of Jon Bon Jovi or Bruce Springsteen? New Jersey rockers, politicians and growing families all call affluent Rumson, NJ their home. Rumson is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, and is part of the New York Metropolitan Area.

Fibrex Group is currently assisting Congregation B’Nai Israel in Rumson, with the design & install of their new Children’s Outdoor Exploratorium made by Play Mart® Playgrounds. The Exploratorium using Play Mart’s commercial and Nature of Early Play recycled plastic products, is the new centerpiece of CBI’s revitalized outdoor space. By utilizing Play Mart’s newest video design tool, CBI has been able to see exactly how their new playground will be built on the church campus. They will also be showing the video during their casino night fundraiser to potential donors on March 29.

Dennis Beach, founder of Play Mart Playgrounds, exclaims; “This rendering and video program is the most amazing that I have used in a long time! SketchUp is quick for a drawing and design program and eliminates lots of frustrations from programs like AutoCAD. However, our latest program is more amazing!”

Fibrex Group offers a wide variety of recycled plastic lumber site furnishings and is an authorized distributor of Play Mart® Playgrounds recycled plastic play systems in the mid-Atlantic (VA, MD, DE, DC & NJ). Choose from a wide variety of standard configurations, or work with our designers to create the park or playground of your dreams. We offer complimentary 2D & 3D design and site plan services, and are happy to come visit your site for a free consultation at your convenience. We can also handle your installation and surfacing needs with ease. Call or contact us today for your free full color catalog.