MCCORMICK, SC — The historic Mims Community Center grounds feature a brand-new amenity today, thanks to a sustainable civic project spearheaded by the McCormick Garden Club. Through an ongoing partnership with the NexTrex Recycling Challenge, the club has successfully converted hundreds of pounds of loose household plastic film into a durable, weather-resistant outdoor park bench.
The installation marks a double victory for McCormick County, simultaneously diverting soft plastic waste from local landfills while enhancing a treasured historical site.
The bench was presented to Kenneth Gunter, McCormick County Recreation Director and Donald Moss, Receptionist at the W.W. Mims Activity Center by members of the McCormick Gaden Club.
A Growing Footprint of Civic Sustainability
The newly placed seat at the Mims Community Center represents the 8th recycled plastic bench the McCormick Garden Club has earned and donated to the local community. Over the past 3 years, this grassroots environmental campaign has donated benches to a widespread local footprint:
- McCormick Middle School
- McCormick Humane Society
- Savannah Lakes River Grille
- Savannah Lakes Recreation Center
- Willington Gazebo Migratory Waystation for Monarch Butterflies
- Two Savannah Lakes Hiking Trails
- Mims Community Center
The Power of the Polyethylene Pipeline
Earning a high-performance composite bench from Trex requires a massive community-wide push. Civic groups must collect specific weight milestones of clean, dry plastic film within a designated timeframe. Because soft plastics cannot be processed in standard curbside recycling bins, they are frequently discarded. The garden club solved this problem by establishing a reliable local collection network.
Residents can keep the recycling pipeline moving by dropping off their soft plastics at any of these five permanent community hubs:
- McCormick Middle School — 6979 Hwy 28 S
- McCormick County Library — 201 Railroad Ave [796]
- Lutheran Church By the Lake — 100 Twelve Oaks Dr
- Savannah Lakes Village Recreation Complex — 385 Country Club Dr
- Monticello Golf Club Clubhouse — 1148 Barksdale Ferry Rd
Sorting Rules: The "Stretch Test"
To protect the manufacturing machinery and avoid contaminating the recycling stream, the McCormick Garden Club emphasizes that only soft, clean, and dry plastic film can be accepted in the bins.
A quick rule of thumb for residents is the "stretch test." If the plastic film stretches easily when pulled firmly with your thumbs, it belongs in the collection bins. If it crinkles loudly, snaps, or feels rigid, it must be excluded
Enhancing a Historic Gathering Place
The choice of the Mims Community Center as the recipient of the 8th bench connects McCormick's green future with its rich past. The durable new bench offers a dedicated space for visitors to rest and appreciate the historic grounds. With the Mims bench officially installed, the McCormick Garden Club is already looking toward its next collection milestone to keep upgrading public spaces across the county. We thank everyone for their continued support of this program.