Styrofoam Recycling

Styrofoam is a closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam material that’s made for thermal insulation, packaging and other craft applications. The Dow Chemical Corporation owns the trademark for the product, and this is used for a wide range of applications. Among these include insulated sheathing, pipe insulation, packaging and craft applications. Styrofoam is also placed under roads and other structures to prevent freezing, thawing and other soil disturbances.

The Terrible Environment Legacy of Styrofoam

Because polystyrene is made from petroleum, it’s highly-flammable and contains a toxic chemical called benzene. Styrofoam is known to take a long time to break down once it’s disposed and thrown in a landfill. It has been noted that animals who ingest it incurred blocks in their digestive track, causing starvation and death. Styrofoam continues to be a commonly-used material, because it’s used for padding in appliance packaging, and for storing different food items. Because of Styrofoam’s highly-toxic nature, nearly two dozen cities in the United States have banned its use for whatever purpose.

Neat Ideas For Recycling Styrofoam

Instead of just throwing Styrofoam straight into the garbage bin, you can actually recycle this material, and create in into different items or products. Here are a few important guidelines for recycling this toxic, non-biodegradable material.

• You can actually use Styrofoam as a fishing float. You can also turn it into a pool, bath or beach toy for your kids. Slice or cut out simple shapes, and make a sail using a toothpick, lollipop or some thin stick. You can also design Styrofoam into rings or squares that the children can use as a float in the pool.

• Styrofoam boxes can also be used for leftovers to help germinate seeds. Make a few holes in the bottom layer, then add some dirt, seeds and water. Styrofoam blocks can also be used in vases for making unique silk flower arrangements. You may also cut Styrofoam strips into flat strips for use as plant markers. Styrofoam meat trays may also be used for placing your watercolors, paint, clay dough and other materials.

• In the United States, the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers has organized a mail-back initiative, where consumers can send their polystyrene packages or trays through the regular postal service. However, if you really got a lot of Styrofoam in your storage room or cellar, you may be able to make some money out of it. You can refer to the Recycled Plastic Markets Database, and look for buyers of a wide array of plastic and polystyrene packaging.

While it may take some time before the use of Styrofoam and other polystyrene products is discontinued, all of us need to continue dealing with the Styrofoam that ends up in our hands or kitchen tables, and also ensure that it doesn’t end up in our landfills. The good thing is that expanded polystyrene foam packaging is being recycled at a rate of around 10 to 12 percent each year, which is a good start at least.