Styrofoam, XPS, EPS, Polystyrene 

Let's address a common misconception about what we refer to as "Styrofoam" before delving into its recycling. The term "Styrofoam" is actually a brand name for extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) and is trademarked by the Dow Chemical Company. It's primarily manufactured for thermal insulation, construction, and craft applications and is typically blue in color. We've often used the term "Styrofoam" generically to describe all polystyrene foams, which is akin to calling all orange juice products "Tropicana" or all smartphones "iPhone." So, what is the material used in what we've been calling a "Styrofoam" cup? It's actually called expanded polystyrene (EPS), and it can be molded into various shapes. Therefore, when people use EPS cups, they are not using Styrofoam cups.

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To eliminate confusion, let's refer to Styrofoam as XPS from now on. XPS (Styrofoam) is not recyclable, but EPS is. The challenge with recycling EPS lies in the difficulty and cost-effectiveness of collecting it for collection companies and local municipalities. Consequently, recycling centers often do not accept packing peanuts. However, there are alternative solutions, as outlined in an article from Stanford Magazine written by Andrew Hellman, "What to do with Styrofoam: the better answer."

 

1. SELL IT: Various companies purchase EPS (as well as other plastic types) for recycling. You can use a link to find recycling companies near you. Additionally, you can refer to the recycling guide by the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers.

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2. DONATE IT: The Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers (AFPR) has published a list of drop-off sites. Alternatively, you can contact the Plastic Loose Fill Council at (800) 828-2214 for information. Mailing in EPS is another option, and a list of companies that accept mail-back EPS is available. While these options may incur costs such as gas or shipping (up to $9 according to AFPR), the EPS will be recycled into office supplies or insulation instead of being disposed of in a landfill.

For those seeking more information or assistance, you can turn to the Plastic Loose Fill Council, which can guide you to a drop-off center in your city or provide a list of centers in your state. You can also reach out to their Peanut Hotline for similar assistance.

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https://stanfordmag.org/contents/what-to-do-with-styrofoam-essential-answer

insurationcorp.com, epspackaging.com