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Recycling polystyrene - aka Styrofoam
Styrofoam is a trademark of the Dow company, but the material itself is called polystyrene. Like so many other plastics, it's all around us - very commonly used in packing material as peanuts or expanded foam, in food trays and a wide variety of other products - even explosives such as napalm and hydrogen bombs!
The bad news is (aside from its use in WMD); polystyrene is manufactured from petroleum. It's highly flammable and a chemical called benzene, which is a known human carcinogen, is used in its production. Polystyrene in the environment
Polystyrene foam, used commonly as padding in appliance packaging, takes an incredibly long time to break down in the environment and additionally, animals may ingest it which blocks their digestive tracts and ultimately causes starvation. This foam is also abundant in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Given the nature of polystyrene, it's surprising that such an energy intensive, oil sucking and toxic substance is allowed to be use as packaging for food; particularly for items such as meat where the food has direct contact with it. Nearly two dozen cities in the USA have banned the use of polystyrene for this purpose.
Packaging and products containing polystyrene can usually be identified by a recycling triangle logo with the number 6 inside it stamped on the item.
It's likely to be a very long time before the use of polystyrene is totally discontinued, and while we can try to buy products that don't utilize the stuff, we need to deal with the styrofoam that winds up in our hands instead of it heading straight to landfill.
Unfortunately many kerbside recycling programs don't accept polystyrene and given its bulk, it can be difficult to store. Also, polystyrene is often recycled to be used in single use products; such as more packing material, so it's really important to get the word out about recycling this form of packaging. Burning polystyrene Some people choose to burn polystyrene in order to be rid of the stuff, believing that as chloro-fluoro hydrocarbons were eliminated from expanded polystyrene over a decade ago, it was safe to do so. The burning of polystyrene releases styrene gas which can effect the nervous system. Also, as it usually burns with a sooty flame, this indicates combustion isn't complete and a complex mixture of toxic chemicals can produced by the relatively low temperature of a backyard burn. Keeping polystyrene out of the waste stream
A pound of polystyrene recycled is a pound of new polystyrene that doesn't have to be created. Currently in the USA expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam packaging is being recycled at a rate of approximately 10-12% each year. Here's a few tips as to what you can do with polystyrene to keep it out of the waste stream for as long as possible.
Keep it as packing - how many times have you needed to pack something for shipping and found you had nothing on hand? Break down large lumps of styrofoam into smaller chunks and keep a bag of it handy
Craft shops - I've read that craft shops are often a good place to take styrofoam as their customers use it in their craft projects.
Earth911.org - If you're in the USA, there's a search function at the top of the Earth911 web site where you can enter the term "polystyrene" and then in the box on the right, enter your location. The search results will provide listings of companies and organizations in your local area that will take polystyrene.Note: be sure to enter
"polystyrene" rather than "styrofoam" as the latter, being just a brand
name, is unlikely to return any results.
Planters - I've seen it used in pot plants to assist with drainage and as a filler - however, I'm not sure about the possibility of contamination when used in this way.
Mail back initiative - The Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers offers a mailback program to USA residents; whereby you send the polystyrene in via the US mail service. There's a cost involved (postage), but this may prove more economical to you that carting it somewhere by car. You can learn more about this option here.
Sell it! - If polystyrene is something you get a lot of; you might be able to make a few bucks from it. The Recycled Plastic Markets Database allows you to search for buyers of a wide variety of plastics.
I was aiming for 10 tips; so I'm a few short :). If you have your own tips for polystyrene recycling, please add them below!
Michael Bloch
Green Living Tips.com
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Comments
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Comment #1
(Posted by Wendy)
Michael,
You mentioning craft stores gave me an idea!(you rock!) Schools...art teachers,we can check with them and see if they have any use for craft projects for the styrofoam! Girl scout troopa are another possibility.
Thanks for all you do! Wendy
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Comment #2
(Posted by g)
how about checking with a nearby shipping/copy place> They might be able to re-use the styrofoam for thir business needs.
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Comment #3
(Posted by Michael - Green Living Tips)
Wendy and G - thanks for your tips :)
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Comment #4
(Posted by Michael)
I'm planning on using the stuff for insulation in my shop and outbuildings. I'm planning on building the inner and outer walls 2 feet at a time out of natural stone (outer) and plywood (inner). Then, as I'm building up, tamp old cups and packing material in the 4" space between the walls with a 2"x4". This is a simplified explanation, but I think it'll work just fine.
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Comment #5
(Posted by Elsie)
I tie fishing flies, I use styrofoam blocks to hold tied flies while they dry.
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Comment #6
(Posted by TC)
It is amazing how many people reach for a paper cup than a styrofoam cup and assume it is better for the environment. First off, you can't recycle paper cups. They are lined with plastic or coated in wax! Plus they take a lot more energy to manufacture. When the paper portion finally does break down in a landfill, it leaches chemicals into the ground. It nice to see an article that recognizes that polystyrene foam is recyclable.
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Comment #7
(Posted by LadyGator)
Thanks to this site, I found Earth 911- there is a product called Citrus King Multi Purpose Solvent. It is an all- natural, petroleum free product that, amongst other things, dissolves #6 plastic to 1/20th of its original volume. I am trying to find out from them what kind of cleanup is involved or if there are off- gassing concerns related to its liquefaction, but this solvent sounds promising to me... wondering if it can be poured in reduced liquid form into foam- core walls for eco- friendly construction. Sure could do away with alot of waste that way!
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Comment #8
(Posted by darin)
be careful using polystyrene as an insulating material for a building... its highly flamable.
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Comment #9
(Posted by Bryan Andersen)
Your dream has come true. There is a company that can recycle 100% of the styrofoam it receives. Please check out the website at www.blueearthsolutions.com to learn more
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Comment #10
(Posted by Julie Suplee)
We have discovered that our UPS Store will accept your foam packing peanuts, and will reuse them for shipping others packages. Definitely worth the trip to drop them off.
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Comment #11
(Posted by Zach)
:)If you can't recycle it what other way could you use, like using as an inner structure of a building or statue sure it won't be worth as much but recycling is recycling:)
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Comment #12
(Posted by Michael - Green Living Tips)
Thanks for all the great contributions folks!
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Comment #13
(Posted by Lydia)
I'm looking to be more aggressive with my committment to recycling. Still I'm relatively new to the idea. Much of my styrofoam comes from food trays. I dont mind hanging on to styrofoam until I can take it to an accepting recycler but how do I sanitize if safely?
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Comment #14
(Posted by Tony)
If you live near a movie studio, they will take your foam. They use it to make set designs. Once a set is complete, they break it down, shred, compress, and make a new set.
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Comment #15
(Posted by Koz)
I have been saving all my polystyrene, washing it when necessary (meat/food trays, etc.), and compressing it into plastic bags to use as insulation in my pump house. Because of its flamability, I would not use it in any structure where people reside and/or sleep, but my pumphouse has to be insulated and heated in the winter, and it will be several years at least until I completely fill it with foam "blocks" in this manner. This type of foam insulation could also be used in doghouses, tool sheds, and certain other non-residential outbuildings as long as they are equipped with a smoke detector.
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Comment #16
(Posted by Lee Loehrs)
I am trying to find a way to start up a Styrofoam/Polystyrean recycling program so that the Styrofoam does not end up in land fills. We would use this recycled product in our goods. We would grind the foam that may come in shapes such as freezer coolers or heavy duty meat packing foam trays, or even solid sheets, we would then run it threw a in house grinding machine to get it into fine beads and fill our product, thus incorporating a recycling program..
Sounds like a great Idea right??
Please help out in any way you can and thanks for taking my call and listening to my idea.
I would be interested in starting a Mail back initiative program to USA residents; whereby you send the polystyrene in via the US mail service to us. There's a cost involved (postage), but this may prove more economical to you that carting it somewhere by car. If interested please contact me @ lee_loehrs@verizon.net
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Comment #17
(Posted by Greg)
We use discarded Styrofoam pick from the sea shore as floaters for all of our fishery related projects. We use them as markers, underwater net trap lifter, as use them in bulk to float our heavy concrete artificial reefs (pls. see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK7ulcQn5RE). The white sacks contained Styrofoams. Next year(2009) we will install a 72ft Rotary International Emblem as artificial reef. It is estimated to weigh at least 45,000kg inland, and we are collecting 1200 sacks of junk Strofoam to reuse them as floaters.
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Comment #18
(Posted by Jimmy)
Styrofoam sheets can be used for insulation. They great for making insulated covers for attic doors. They're also great for spare wall insulation. Cut it to shape for a firm fit and make sure to cover it with drywall to comply with building codes.
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Comment #19
(Posted by Mack)
I actually found a couple of places in the DFW area that I can drop off at...I wish my City would promote these locations and local furniture stores as well!
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Comment #20
(Posted by Ken Carman)
I am working on research where I am taking large pieces of used styrofoam and bonding them together and filling in any gaps with canned insulation foam to make large thick high R-value panels.
This appears to be an excellent use for this material and produces low cost high efficiency material.
To read all of my outside the box ideas go to www.pandscorp.org
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Comment #21
(Posted by Temre)
I have several shapes and sizes of styrofoam coolers. Some are in cardboard boxes and others are not. I'm trying to find somewhere to get rid them. I have approximately 6 to 10 pallets of theses weekly. That is about 20 to 30 coolers per skid depending on sizes. If there is anyone who would be interested in these please contact me at email provided. They are in great shape and used only one time. Thanks for any help with this i really don't want to throw them away.
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Comment #22
(Posted by Hannah)
My high school has 1600 kids, about 3/4 of whom eat school lunch every day. My school provides styrofoam lunch trays, but they are thrown out after each use. The local middle school used to provide receptacles for such use, but they've long since been done away with, as few students ever used them.
There has got to be a better way! As a high school junior who is on the newspaper (currently writing an article on styrofoam), holds a steady part-time job, and whose conservation suggestions have not been incredibly popular in the past, I hardly have the time or support to collect and clean 1200 dirty trays a day, and, since I turned out to be a horrible driver :P, drive them somewhere to be recycled (My parents make a point to buy American, so the 12 miles per gallon in our family vehicle makes it about as eco-friendly as just burning them without the proper equipment). Are there any suggestions for clean ways to discard our used styrofoam food trays, or perhaps an alternative material that would be more safe for the ecosystem?
Please email LOTRPoet@aol.com with suggestions. Every step towards a greener world is important to reach the summit of our mountain of trash.
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Comment #23
(Posted by Cliff Yankovich)
Happy to report that the PakMail store not far from me was happy to take my styrofoam peanuts. I saved them in a big garbage bag and when it was full, took it in to them. They also took some styrofoam pieces that were shrink-wrapped in a gray plastic. The load I took to them filled the back seat of my RAV4.
Kudos to PakMail!
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Comment #24
(Posted by Lynn)
How can lobbying to get this product off the market be improved? lets face it the average preson is totally unaware of the negative impact styrofoam has. 70% of those that do know, are too tired, stressed and busy to do anything about it. Me - I try to avoid it and recycle any that I do come in contact with at the local grocery store.
ps. as a side note, why has it still not become "in" to have recycling bins in public places!!! it drives me crazy. I know that I am a minority taking my waste - and sometimes others with me. I think the young should be tageted by the media (nothing pulls on an adults heart string more than their children telling them they are environmentally irresponsible).
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Comment #25
(Posted by )
I think the best recycling for styrofoam is found in homebuilding. Certain manufacturers are already experimenting with styrofoam pieces being added to concrete blocks which go into a home. They offer greater insulation and don't burn!!(because they're encapsulated in the concrete of course) If they could only create a widescale program which could collect used styrofoam instead. Maybe someday!! But to anyone who is working on projects, try adding ground up styro to your concrete and see what turns out. I suggest starting small scale first!
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Comment #26
(Posted by starbrite)
I'd be HIGHLY suspicious of anyone trying to sell a homebuyer or home builder on the idea that styrofoam insulation in the walls is a good idea because it's encapsulated in the concrete. First of all, in most single-family dwellings, the only concrete to be found will be in the foundation, so any foam in the concrete won't be in the walls anyway. Secondly, while the concrete won't burn, the extremely intense heat of any structure fire will cause the concrete to heat to the ambient temperatures, thus causing whatever's inside the concrete to heat as well. Common, ordinary combustible materials will ignite and burn at 451 degrees Fahrenheit; temperatures inside a structure fire can well exceed 2000 degrees. That styrofoam will most definitely burn - maybe not with a flame, but it will definitely pyrolize; and if the foam is completely sealed within the concrete, the super expansion of gases and fumes produced by the pyrolization can cause the concrete to crack and spall, significantly compromising the structural integrity of the concrete foundation.
If there are any building contractors, fire inspectors, other firefighters or anyone else knowledgeable about building construction with relation to building and fire codes out there that know more about this (and may care to either add to what I've written or correct anything I may have gotten wrong), please chime in.
Don't get me wrong. I'm ALL about the 3R's. I just wouldn't use styrofoam (or any other foam that hasn't been treated and rated as fire-resistant) as an insulation in a building. Look up the Station Fire of 2003.
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Comment #27
(Posted by Pauline Castle)
I re-use polystyrene boxes as planters:
poke holes in the bottom of the box line with paper or straw/mulch. Fill with potting soil, and plant herbs or vegetables. If you wanted a raised or tiered garden bed, you can stack them. If desired they can be painted. If spray painting, spray several coats with a fine mist, so the paint does'nt dissolve the foam.
Packaging that comes with appliances can be broken up into smaller lumps, and mixed in with potting mix in big pots or planters that would otherwise be too heavy ro move.
These are not my original ideas
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Comment #28
(Posted by Joy in AZ)
Is using styrofoam for organic gardening really a good idea? It seems to me that the stuff would leach chemicals into the plants - defeating the purpose of organic gardening. If it is safe- its a great idea.
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Comment #29
(Posted by Doris)
I am teacher and have a strong sense of re-use, reduce and recycling. The product can be used to create shapes that kids can cut and use as a decoration in the clasroom insted of cuting paper.
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Comment #30
(Posted by Cassandra)
In response to #27 and using styrofoam containers and ground styrofoam in compost. This action could lead your family to hormonal imbalances and blocking of their and your digestive tract. No matter what happens the gases from styrene will escape into the area around it.
When guests come for dinner do you want to be offering the a "Styrene Carrot" just freshly picked out of your Styrofoam cooler? I would really re-think this idea.
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Comment #31
(Posted by Abby)
I searched the earth 911 website for 'polystyrene' and it showed up that it can be recycled for the curbside pickup. However, their website specifically says 'no styrofoam.' I can't find a place to take mine. I have the big bricks, shipping places won't take those, just peanuts. Any other suggestions?
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Comment #32
(Posted by Mina Alcantara)
Hello, This is a great article. Okay, I live in Hawaii and definately not even another island would have a program that recycles styrafoam. So I have an idea but I need some questions answered before I do them. So this is going to sound silly, but is there a difference between the meat packaging styrafoam from the white packing ones? My idea was to use styrafoam to make beach items since its highly flammable. Boogie boards are made from styrafoam so I am assuming its okay. But what if most of the styrafoam I only can find are from meat packaging? I am afraid to use them becuase of the bacteria? So can you help me please. I already use them for projects, but here in Hawaii alot of people just tosses them out. so I want to start a program that is safe and so people can give them to me to reuse them for projects and hopefully beach items.
Please give me answers.
thank you
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Comment #33
(Posted by Michele Moyer)
I live in the SF Bay Area and cannot find anywhere within 20 miles to recycle styrofoam blocks. This is disappointing. I'm not likely to mail it to someone for recycling. I would say avoiding using it at all is the best idea!
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Comment #34
(Posted by Scott)
I'm very new/ignorant to recycling polystyrene and am skeptically proceeding. I seem to recall news about the breaking up of Styrofoam containers releasing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into the atmosphere, thus causing thinning in the ozone layer. Am I confused in my information? Perhaps I'm remembering it wrong.
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Comment #35
(Posted by cristina)
If building foam insulation is actually styrofoam, couldn't egg cartions and food trays be ground into small chips (or finer, like powder) and then glued or somehow re-pressed into sheets for home insulation? It seems like that would be a fairly simple process.
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Comment #36
(Posted by Leslie)
if you do a search for scarecrow's wicking garden you'll see a water saving idea on how to make wicking garden boxes from polystyrene boxes. I work for a gastroenterology clinic where we give REmicade for Crohn's patients weekly. We were getting so much styrofoam that I asked to take them home and then discovered the wicking box solution. SAVE WATER and keep roots cooler and grow some vegetables and keep the stuff out of landfills.
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Comment #37
(Posted by KFOGPD)
The earth911 website DOES accept 'styrofoam' in it's search. As a matter of fact, searching for polystyrene told me that my curbside recycling takes it. They do NOT as their website specifically states that fact.
The polystyrene which IS accepted in not the foam type, but rather the injected, extruded or molded type.
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Comment #38
(Posted by Mike S)
Down here in the South, the local grocery store (Publix) recycles styrofoam meat trays and egg cartons.
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Comment #39
(Posted by Scott)
So i work at a restaurant that insists on using Styrofoam cups. We use thousands a day. i hate it that we do this but we do. Is there a good way to recycle these cups. They have the lovely "6" printed on them so it makes me think plastic. Is that correct? All i see is drop offs that accept non colored foams, i can't find any place that accepts printed on materials. Most everyone on here is talking about meat trays, are they the same?
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Comment #40
(Posted by Steve Yavuz)
I am a Turkish-Canadian electrical engineer. In 1990 I was maintenence engineer at a Domestic Fridge Plant (Philco Intl., Manisa, Turkey) and we were used to recycle the polystyrene material by chopping them in a drum mill, similar with tree branch chopper. The product after chopping was almost same size grain as the fresh unbaked powder.60% new unbaked powder and 40% recycled-chopped-baked material was used for making all kind of foam molding packages. I am really surprised not to see this in North America.
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Comment #41
(Posted by John Almond)
A number of model railroaders use it. They put it under areas which will become mountains or rolling hills. Cover it with making tape and finally put a very thin layer of hydrocal plaster over this. It is very light but still has the strength of the plaster.
It can also be used to model vertical walls of canyons and river gorges. One puts it up in smaller pieces until the desired length and height are reached. Then it can be carved and shaved with various tools to get veins and outcroppings wanted. Then it can be painter. By the way, the pieces must be put together with tooth picks (acts like rebar) as glues can often "melt" the foam.
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Comment #42
(Posted by Barbara Sherman)
We collect styrofoam and recycle it by turning it into pellets. People can drop off styrofoam to us and we offer a pick up service. Our service area is Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. We have our first styrofoam collection event scheduled in Framingham, MA on 24 October. For more information, please contact us at refoamit@verizon.net
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Comment #43
(Posted by D' Richardson)
I reuse the styro-foam found in meat packaging and egg cartons for household insulation; ie. Using a hole punch, or scissors for larger holes make small circles to glue gun to the bottom of furniture feet so you don't scratch floors. I glue them to trivets, vases, small appliances so they don't scratch the counters or wood furniture.
I also reuse them for crafts (holding paint pallets, beads (keeps them from rolling off), as well as in the kitchen (once thoroughly cleaned with white vinegar) as a replacement for paper plates (in a pinch).
You can also cut strips to fit on the ends of closet doors so they shut quietly. Make your own insoles for shoes. Layer them for more cushion support. These are just some of the things I reuse them for.
I don't use peanut packaging. I use old scraps of towels and waded up they provide cushion and can be reused by the recipient in their household cleaning.
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Comment #44
(Posted by Tiffany)
I have used Styrofoam for making boats with the kids in school, its great for flotation and they get to use other items to decorate them. Styrofoam also is great for plastic/dried flower gardens, just cut a piece to fit inside a planter box or a pot, and then you can stab any fake or dried flowers/plants into them.
Thank-you to all for all the great ideas!
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Comment #45
(Posted by Cherie)
Thank you so much for this post and for all the knowledgeable comments - have learnt so much.
This is a timely post. I work for a Fair Trade NGO in the Philippines and am compiling a DIY Christmas Decorations page for our upcoming Fair Trade Christmas Campaign.
My colleague sent over this craft idea to shrink polystyrene in the oven (as it is Type 6 plastic) to make Christmas ornaments: http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk/mobile-phone-bag-christmas-danglers-charms.shtml
This rings alarm bells to me - as surely toxic fumes will be released. But, I also can be wrong. So before dismissing the idea - can anyone please shed any light to this recycled craft idea?
Thanks and well done to everyone for green living. More power :)
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Comment #46
(Posted by chad)
i use styrofoam boxes for planters. i cut holes in the lid round enough for plastic cups to sit in. using a hot iron poke many holes in the cups and fill with river gravel, set cups into the holes of the lid and place back onto the box containing an air stone and water.
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Comment #47
(Posted by Nick Lawson)
Hey Everyone, great topic!
I am a sustainability consultant here in San Diego, CA. Currently we are working on a project where our goal is to divert hundreds of tons of epoxy polystyrene and rigid polyurethane foam produced weekly from landfills and into more sustainable alternatives. The waste comes in large chunks, small chunks, and a fine, snow-like powder that is produced when the large sheets are sanded down.
Is there anyone out there that has any ideas? Please email me at nlawson@amazonconsultants.net with any ideas or input.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Let's partner up and make it happen!!
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Comment #48
(Posted by Andrea)
FP International (or Flo-Pak; http://www.fpintl.com) recycles clean polystyrene (aka Styrofoam packaging, peanuts, etc). Plastic containers made of polystyrene can also be recycled (labeled #6 PS). I'm fortunate to live near the Flo-Pak recycler in Delaware, but FP facilities can be found worldwide. For more PS recycling locations in the US, visit http://www.epspackaging.org/pdf/Drop%20Off%20Recycling%20Locations.pdf
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