This local group is turning thousands of pounds of plastic waste in Saranac Lake into benches for the community. In-Jeong Kim, a researcher at the Trudeau Institute, learned about the composite decking company Trex’s NexTrex bench program in 2022. Now, the Saranac Lake Women’s Civic Chamber has created the Community Bench Project. It only took two months of recycling plastic film for the Women’s Civic Chamber to earn this bench. Spearheading the committee, from left to right, are Elle Finocan, Sue Capone, Liz Murray and Karen Russell. The Women’s Civic Chamber bench is proudly placed in front of Harriettstown Town Hall. This team’s recycling efforts will continue as they help other groups earn benches. Find “Community Bench project” on Facebook for more information. (Photo provided — Women’s Civic Chamber)

A plaque on the new bench explains that this bench was earned by the Women’s Civic Chamber through its plastic recycling project, which submitted 1,000 pounds of plastic film in exchange for the new bench. (Photo provided)