There are endless styles and designs available with lids and insulation. Skip the foam coffee cups and opt for bringing a reusable stainless steel, plastic, or ceramic coffee cup.Since Styrofoam is difficult or nearly impossible to recycle what if anything can the general public do to limit its use? There are several very easy simple changes we can make starting with your morning coffee. Since current recycling rates for Styrofoam run at a dismal 10-12%, reusing or donating Styrofoam peanuts when possible seems like a great option. One more option is local schools or preschools often accept donations for use in art projects. If space allows, keeping them aside for future use in packaging or sending gifts through the mail is another great option. Once again these do not break down in landfills and are toxic, so if there is any way to reuse or recycle this should be the first option. Give one a call and see if they accept these foam peanuts. There are facilities that accept packing peanuts for recycling, but if this is not an option, another option is any local shipping store.
This is one example where Styrofoam recycling may be a viable option. One very common use of expanded polystyrene is in packing peanuts, and they are great for very lightweight, but sturdy packaging protection. Since expanded polystyrene is also made up of carcinogenic chemicals keeping it out of our landfills whenever possible is of great importance. A quick phone call to your local recycling center or waste management company will allow you to quickly curb some of that waste if, in fact, they accept EPS. And although it only makes up roughly 2% of waste by weight, it takes up a whopping 30% in volume of overall solid waste, primarily due to its widespread use in product packaging. Styrofoam that ends up in landfills does not break down at all. Where to Recycle StyrofoamĪlthough it is not commonly accepted even at recycling facilities, it is a good idea to check with your local recycling program and ask if polystyrene is accepted. This is something to keep in mind when reheating takeout from your favorite restaurant. Technically, styrene is a petroleum by-product made from chemicals that may be carcinogenic. Foam polystyrene can be made up of up to 95% air and is perfect as a lightweight, protective packaging material. The polystyrene material we are most commonly familiar with is, of course, the Styrofoam used in packaging and foodservice. The expanded polystyrene, referred to as EPS, most are familiar with is not actually Styrofoam at all. Actual “Styrofoam” was created in 1941 by the Dow Chemical Company and is almost exclusively used in construction, for floating docks, and sometimes for floral arrangements, it is usually light blue and not white. Styrofoam is a highly versatile plastic used for everything from surfboards to electronics.
#Recycle near me how to
What is Styrofoam or Polystyrene foam?īefore we get into where and how to recycle Styrofoam, it may help to understand exactly what Styrofoam or expanded polystyrene is.
Plastic #6/Styrofoam itself is challenging to recycle, adding to the issue most household Styrofoam is contaminated with food and oils making it unable to be recycled. While Styrofoam, otherwise known as polystyrene, is accepted at a few recycling facilities, this isn’t the case for most municipal recycling centers. So is Styrofoam recyclable? The short answer is…sometimes. However, this is not the right course of action for many reasons. This is a common question, and many well-intentioned folks toss their Styrofoam food containers into their curbside recycling bins.
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