EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE - FOAM
Polystyrene (PS) Foam is made from #6 plastic and is commonly manufactured into products such as cups, trays, and cartons. Foam #6 is lightweight, acts as a shock absorber, and has good insulating properties which makes it one of the most widely used plastics. PS foam can be manufactured to almost any density and dimension needed and can comprise of as much as 98% air due to it's adaptability.
Where to Recycle: Community Drop-Off
The Mid-Michigan area is home to one of the largest manufacturers of food service polystyrene foam, Dart Container Corp. Dart partners with several municipalities and institutions in Michigan to collect foam for recycling. Check with your local municipality to see if they offer Foam #6 recycling or check Dart’s website for a map of locations in the state. Find more information about foam here.
Why can’t this item go in my curbside bin?
When PS foam contaminates curbside collection bins it can break down into tiny pieces which make sorting the material at recycling centers impossible.
What types of this material qualify for recycling?
Foam #6 items accepted include cups and “to-go” containers, egg cartons, coolers, clean meat trays, protective packaging foam, and other foam with the #6 resin code.
Only Foam #6 is commonly recycled. Other types of foam products are manufactured and are sometimes mistaken for Foam #6 - Polyurethane and Polyethylene foam. These foam products are typically used in packaging to protect items during shipping.
Why is it important to recycle PS Foam?
Americans consume large quantities of this material each year, enough to circle the world more than 400 times, or around 14 million tons. Despite the large quantities generated yearly, relatively little of it is recycled. The annual recycling rate for Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is about 15% according to the EPS Industry Alliance. The primary reason for the low recycling rate is the lack of convenient recycling opportunities for consumers as well as the cost for recyclers to recover the material.
What is it recycled into?
Outdoor furniture, roofing tiles, coat hangers, seedling containers, door and window frames, packing peanuts and more
