Foam Plastic #6 (Polystyrene) Trash Container Polystyrene, (commonly mischaracterized as StyrofoamTM) is a challenging material for recyclers, mainly because of its light weight nature and contamination with food. Polystyrene foam comes in several forms yet none are recycled in Burbank: Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) used as a product protection for shipping (ex: blocks surrounding new televisions, cheap foam coolers) Lighter single use foam used in to-go food ware, such as hinged clamshells, plates and drink cups. #6 hard plastic (also marked as PS on some packaging) found in coffee cup lids, party cups, and black microwavable containers. Despite the recycling symbol, plastic #6 products ARE NOT RECYCLABLE. Why is it a problem when it says on the packaging it is “recyclable”? Some communities accept it but many, like Burbank, do not. Recycling is a business that gets paid in weight and so bulky items like EPS polystyrene just make little economic sense to collect, sort and process for the commodity price it can command. When it is used for a food product, the residue contamination makes it even more complicated and less valuable. It is also very damaging when it enters the environment due to the breaking down of the tiny bead particles that are nearly impossible to fully clean up. Adding to the proof this is a problematic material, many local and global jurisdictions have restricted foam to-go ware products. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Recycling OptionsRead About Recycling Options HereDrop Off:Find A Drop-Off Location Here Mail-In:EPS Mail Back Locations There are other options at Homeforfoam.org but it is suggested to call the company first to confirm they are accepting this material. Help Prevent Litter Plastic #6 is a lightweight material that easily finds its way into the environment, where it can leach toxic chemicals. Make sure plastic #6 doesn’t blow away by disposing of it properly. Takeout Containers Are Not Recyclable Foam takeout containers are generally not recyclable. Even where certain foam products are recycled, takeout containers are often not accepted because they are difficult to sanitize. Packing Peanuts Are Not Recyclable Packing peanuts are generally not recyclable. There are many alternatives for recyclable packaging material. Find out how to dispose of packing peanuts. Ways to Reduce Reusable Packaging For Businesses Check out Upstream’s catalog of reusable packaging and unpackaging innovators that provide ways for consumers to obtain products, mostly food and beverages, in returnable, reusable, or refillable packaging – or they deliver products to consumers unpackaged altogether. Ways to Reuse Reuse Foam at Home Use foam to refill cushions or stuffed animals that have lost their loft. Did You Know? Plankton Eating Polystyrene In the ocean, plastic is being consumed all the way down the food chain. For the first time ever, scientists have recorded plankton eating tiny polystyrene beads. Find out more at New Scientist. Plastic in Our Bodies Styrene, a component of polystyrene, has been found in 100 percent of human fat tissue samples dating back to 1986. It is known to cause cancer in animals, and suspected to be both cancerous for humans as well.
