Did you know that there are multiple locations throughout North Tillamook County that collect plastic film? Those are things like bread bags, produce bags, newspaper sleeves pallet wrap & stretch film, salt & ice bags, grocery bags, cereal bags, case overwrap, bubble wrap, wood pellet bags, plastic shipping envelopes, dry cleaning bags, Ziploc & other reclosable food storage bags. A local community organization – HUGGS – Helping Us Give & Get Support – has collected over 2,000 pounds of plastics this past year, and through Trex recycling program, have turned that into benches. That’s right. Through the NexTrex plastic film recycling challenge program, HUGGS has provided a bench for Nehalem City Park, and will soon have a bench placed in Wheeler’s Upper Park.
The benches are located to be available for everyone to provide a place of peace and respite, and include suicide prevention information – to honor those that left to soon and give solace to those left behind. There is always help and hope – If you or someone you know needs support now call or text 988 – for suicide and crisis lifeline.
“This is one of those programs that’s a no-brainer,” said HUGGS volunteers. “We are taking care of a recycling need and giving something back to the community.”
The thin film plastic recycling program has been managed by HUGGS for over a year, and previously Friends of NCRD, when they had reached their limit of benches, they offered the recycling program to another local nonprofit, and HUGGS stepped in. PLEASE NOTE: NCRD is no longer a drop off for the plastics recycling program.
There are plenty of locations throughout North County with the plastics recycling bins as HUGGS has EXPANDED the number locations where bins are located – drop off your thin film plastics to Wisteria Chic, 387 Laneda Ave. in Manzanita, RTI Nehalem Tel or Rising Hearts Studio in Nehalem, Wheeler Liquor Store, and now in Rockaway Beach at Green Coast Market.
HUGGS – Helping Us Give & Get Support – was formed in 2022 following several community member deaths, from suicides and overdoses. The organization provides grief support groups, community conversations, events to build community and provide healing – art night, game night, community music jam (Friday August 1st), and sponsors a monthly Teen Night at North Coast Pinball (third Friday each month – August 15th). To continue these programs, HUGGS needs your support. Watch for an upcoming spaghetti dinner fundraiser this Fall. HUGGS is a program sponsored by Fulcrum Community Resources, so donations are tax-deductible, send your donations to HUGSS c/o Fulcrum Community Resources PO Box 136, Nehalem, OR 97131 or follow us on Facebook – HUGGS – Helping Us Give/Get Support. If you are interested in providing a bin for collection of plastics or need information about where to find a recycling bin, email to huggsinfo@gmail.com.
Here’s more information about the plastic film recycling program:
