Properly disposing of expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) is an issue eventually each of us must face. EPS is most commonly (and inaccurately) known as ‘Styrofoam,’ which is actually a brand of home insulation trademarked by Dow Chemical.
Throwing EPS into the garbage means adding it to a landfill. Here are some suggestions for styrofoam recycling:
Reuse
Reusing EPS saves considerably more energy and resources than recycling does. Use pieces for light-weight drainage in planters (see below). Save it for future packaging needs. Electronic devices are best shipped or moved in their original EPS packaging and box.
Pass it on to an individual or company that can use it for packaging. Nearly 30% of all polystyrene loose fill (sometimes called 'peanuts' because of their shape) is used again. For mailing services, the reuse rate of loose fill is as high as 50%.
To find a local business that will reuse your packing peanuts, search at Plastic Loose Fill Council or Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers. Or call the Peanut Hotline at 800/828-2214. (Always call ahead to confirm peanuts are being accepted at that time.)
Recycle
If you can't reuse it, don’t throw it away. EPS can be recycled into new packaging. Before you drop off your EPS, please follow these simple EPS recycling etiquette guidelines:
- Drop off only EPS that is clean, dry and uncontaminated with other materials.
- Remove any foreign materials such as tape, stickers, labels, paint and cardboard.
- Contain the EPS in a bag, bundle or box for easy loading and unloading.
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- Make sure the material is actually EPS -- it looks like a composite of small white beads. If you have any doubt, call before dropping it off.
In the San Francisco Bay Area:
FP International , 1050 Broadway Street, Redwood City, CA
Free-Flow Packaging International (FP International) recycles EPS at five locations across the United States. The Bay Area location is 1050 Broadway, Redwood City 94063. They accept ONLY baled EPS that can be offloaded directly into their building, by appointment only. (NO loose, bagged or stacked EPS.) Call or for a delivery appointment. See www.fpintl.com or contact Debby Hill at 1-, ext. 5385 () for more information.
EPS can be baled in any baler, even those currently used for corrugated or other paper. Or you can have it baled at: GB Industrial, 1528 Atlantic Street , Union City, CA 94587. GB Industrial also accepts will take clean plastic loosefill (packing peanuts) -- not printed on or dyed -- in bags and CD Cases/Jewel Boxes for recycling. Call .
If there is no EPS recycling available in your city, here are some options:
- Take your packing peanuts down to your neighborhood mailing outlet. (ALWAYS telephone ahead before dropping off your peanuts!)
- Gather together a large amount of EPS from neighbors to make the trip to a drop-off location worthwhile.
- While you're at it, give a call to your district representative and ask for an EPS recycling program for your city! (San Francisco's contact information is available at www.sfgov.org.)
The San Francisco Department of the Environment website is www.sfenvironment.org. This is a very useful resource.
This material was provided by Rick Karp of Cole Hardware. Cole hardware has been in San Francisco since 1920 and has always been a solid San Francisco business citizen. Read the Cole Hardware Hotline for more information.
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2 comments:
Wow, it must be getting harder to recycle EPS. I recently purchased a ceiling fan, and with the EPS packaging came a 1-800 number for recycling the packaging. The number is, apparently, disconnected, strange, since some other material with the fan was of recent date. Palo Alto used to take it, I think, but no longer does, and Sunnyvale (where I livwe) does not either.
I will try your info.
http://www.epspackaging.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=2
Walmart now recycles polystyrene/styrofoam. Bring it all/load them up! They're reusing it, too.
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