Turning Bags into Benches

Westerville Lions Club Program Focuses on the Environment

The Westerville Lions Club, one of the oldest service organizations in the community, is working on modern strategies to protect the environment. Specifically, they are collecting plastic film for recycling and turning it into benches. Plastic film is the thin to heavy-weight plastic you find wrapping packages or mattresses, dry cleaner bags, bubble wrap and shopping bags.

“The response by the citizens of Westerville has been amazing so far,” said Howard Baum, Westerville Lions Club Treasurer. “We are collecting it almost faster than we can turn it in.”

Since this project began in May 2021, the Lions have collected nearly 3,000 lbs of plastic, keeping it out of landfills and helping the community.

“We are able to receive one bench per 500 lbs every six months so we have set up multiple accounts to record the plastic weight,” Baum said.

Six benches have been installed so far including three at Greenhaven Living on West Main Street, an organization that works closely with the Lions and the collection of plastic. Another two benches are installed in front of Barrel and Boar, and two are installed in front of Middlefield Bank. Future plans include installing as many as possible in Uptown Westerville.

Additional plastic film recycling is always needed. The Lions Club is asking the community to drop off their plastic bags and other plastic items to Greenhaven Living where they can be weighed and added to the account. Additional area

collection centers include Meijer, Kroger, Giant Eagle, Fresh Thyme and Kohl’s but bags must be weighed prior to drop off. That weight should then be emailed to info@westervillelions. org to be included in the monthly totals.

The Westerville Lions Club, part of Lions International, is comprised of local men and women who individually and jointly volunteer their time to provide service to the Westerville community.

Questions can be emailed to info@westervillelions.org.