Styrofoam Recycling

Styrofoam Recycling

Environmental Issue: Styrofoam

Styrofoam is problematic for two reasons: it can’t be recycled along with other materials such as paper and plastic and even if you don’t buy any Styrofoam, it is likely it will end up in your possession because most electronics and other expensive goods are shipped using Styrofoam packaging. It consumes precious landfill space, contaminates ground water and is a major contributor to the North Pacific Gyre.

Styrofoam is produced and trademarked by the Dow Company. Generically is called polystyrene. It is plastic and is marked with the Recycling symbol (Mobius Loop) #6 PS. Note that not all packaging that looks like Styrofoam is plastic #6. If the material is ridged and hard most likely it is Styrofoam.

It is unwise to burn Styrofoam because it would release a material called benzene, which is a known human carcinogen. Typically it’s found in goods such as disposable plates, disposable cups, fast food carry containers and pill bottles. Due to its known toxicity to humans approximately two dozen cities no longer allow the use of polystyrene for the purpose of shipping meat.

Styrofoam comes in two major forms: foam block or peanuts. Foam block is most commonly used for shipping computers and electronics. Foam peanuts are used by retailers to fill air spaces within a box so the contents don’t move around. Some peanuts are made for biodegradable materials such as corn. They are commonly marked with instructions of how to compost but a telltale sign is that biodegradable peanuts are easy to squish with your fingers and get sticky as soon as they get wet.

Environmental Benefit: Reusing a toxic material that would otherwise end up on a landfill creates a displacement effect so if 10% of Styrofoam is recycled that is 10% less Styrofoam that is being produced. It isn’t the perfect scenario but hopefully over time Styrofoam’s use will diminish and will be replaced with other materials such recycled paper. Many of the products using Styrofoam are single use so by recycling items such as disposable plates, egg cartons and fast food packaging you will be assisting in making a single use item into multiuse.

Other Benefits: By recycling Styrofoam less oil is required therefore reducing our dependency on oil. Keeping Styrofoam out of landfills also reduces the chances of it blowing into the ocean which is a major concern with low weight garbage.

Cost and complexities: Unlike paper and metal the market for Styrofoam is less mature and therefore recycling locations and options are not as common. Due to its size Styrofoam requires a lot of space to store.

Implementation Plan:

     Peanuts:

  • Create a storage place at work. If you ship a large amount of goods where peanuts can be reused consider purchasing an overhead storage system that allows the pellets to be distributed into boxes via a hose system.
  • Contact the local packaging center to determine if they will accept used peanuts if they are clean and separated.
  • Drop off your peanuts periodically. Remember to be considerate to local retailers who take back peanuts.

     # 6 Foam Block:

  • Designate a person to be responsible for addressing odd items that are hard to recycle.
  • Train key personnel such as shipping clerks, receptionists and anyone else who is responsible for unpacking and purchasing what materials are accepted.
  • Create a petty cash account to keep the internal process simple to pay for hard-to-recycle items with associated fees.
  • Create a schedule for delivering materials to CHARM (often monthly makes sense). In many cases employees will volunteer for this assignment and the task can easily occur on your way home or to lunch.

Where to Purchase/ Drop Off: 

Charm: 5880 Butte Mill Rd Boulder Colorado

Payment is due at time of drop off.

The Packing Center (for peanut drop off only)

637 S Broadway St # B
Boulder, CO 80305
(303) 499-7147‎