Let’s talk this month, and the coming months, about recycling, reusing, and repurposing EPS foam.
This month, let’s focus on recycling. EPS foam is easily recycled! This fact may come as a surprise to many. Clean EPS foam received at collection points throughout the USA is easily densified into compact units of solidified polystyrene. The polystyrene is ready for shipment by the truckload to manufacturing facilities that recycle the material into new products.
A legitimate pushback on my claim of “easily recycled” might be the lack of widespread collection points. The EPS Industry Alliance (EPS-IA) website is a great resource for locating EPS foam recycling collection points. EPS-IA currently lists 375 drop-off locations, 30 mail back centers, and curbside collection locations.
Did you know that Plastilite is a drop-off and mail-in recycling location? We are dedicated to responsible consumption and disposal of our products. In fact, we made a video with answers to some commonly asked questions about recycling EPS foam.
The list of recycling locations keeps growing, making it easier to recycle and keep EPS foam out of the landfills. “We want it back!” is the EPS industry call for action regarding scrap EPS foam.
Here is the great news regarding EPS foam recycling statistics as reported by EPS-IA:
· 168.6 million lbs of EPS recycled in 2022
· 31% recycling rate in 2022
· 60 new EPS dop-off recycling locations opened in the last 12 months
· Foam Cycle, a turnkey community recycling system for EPS is now operating in 12 states serving a combined population of 11.5 million people
· EPS densifier grants in 31 cities have increased recycling access by 12.4 million
You can read the full report here.
EPS recycling is happening and growing! Join the effort! We want it back!
Please watch for next month’s blog where I will continue our conversation with more facts, figures, and good news about EPS foam!
Greg Montgomery
gmontgomery@plastilite.com
Office: 402-884-4290