Which styrofoam is recyclable

CFCs used to be used during the manufacturing process of styrofoam. Though this is no longer accepted practice when producing styrofoam, its effects were and are still harmful to global environmental safety.

Styrofoam represents a threat to animals, especially those that scavenge food from landfills. As styrofoam can break into small parts animals usually swallow it and often choke.

But of course, doing so is not as easy as sorting it into the nearest blue recycle bin and forgetting about it. In order for EPS foam to be recycled , it must first be densified : shredded and broken up into tiny little pieces. These pieces must then be collected and pressed into logs, which can then be used in the manufacturing process for things like crown molding.

The challenge to recycle EPS foam begins with the sorting. EPS foam breaks so easily that the little pieces are hard to gather up. XPS foam recycling works the same way. Therefore, it requires bigger, more expensive machines to break it down.

You can reuse it as packing material for your own packages, craft projects, plant holders, stuffing, and anything else you can think of that you need around your home or business. And on a larger scale, manufacturing companies can use the recycled styrofoam logs we mentioned earlier in the article as a material to make crown molding, picture frames, and more.

So what can you do? You can start using alternative, recyclable materials such as the ones we listed below:. Here you can find some more great biodegradable materials for plates. Also using paper for void fill in packaging is a much more eco-friendly solution than using styrofoam or polystyrene pearls. This material is eco-friendly, based on polylactic acid PLA , which is made from cornstarch, and degrades to carbon-dioxide and water within a relatively short time less than a year.

This material is used as a direct substitute of styrofoam in the form of disposable plates, cups, food containers, utensils and also as void fill.

Items made out of plastic usually feature a recycling symbol with a number inside it. This number number in the recycling symbol tells you what kind of plastic the product is made out of. The most recyclable numbers are 1 and 2. Use containers and disposable cups, plates, and dinnerware that bear the number 1 or number 2 recycle symbol. Use a reusable lunch box. Even for takeaway, if you pick up the food yourself, you can bring your own lunch box.

Also use a reusable coffee mug for takeaway coffee. If you are interested in the risks of other plastics and how they can or cannot be recycled, please check out our writing about which plastics are safe.

As we learned earlier in the article, polystyrene foam comes in two basic types: EPS expanded polystyrene and XPS extruded polystyrene. EPS foam is used in many of the items we use everyday, such as disposable dinnerware. XPS foam, on the other hand, is primarily used as insulation in buildings. But you may have trouble finding a recycling center that is capable of processing it.

They can also be transformed into surfboards, cameras, jewelry cases, coat hangers, public benches, pots, toys, or picture frames. The possibilities are endless. Keep in mind that we can only recycle those that are white, clean, and unmarked.

Unfortunately, we can't accept food containers for recycling since they've already been contaminated with oil and other food waste. Styrofoam is technically the trademarked closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam XPS produced by the Dow Chemical Company and introduced to the US market in Now that you know how dangerous it can be for the environment, we hope that you'll consider replacing your Styrofoam-based products with more eco-friendly, reusable products instead.

This is because it uses fully recyclable and sustainable materials. The company's goal is to help divert millions of disposable products from the landfill every year, which is why we like using their products. Another good thing about Neon Kaktus is that unlike other brands, it actually delivers good on its promise to prevent leaks and spills with its coffee cup as many reviewers can attest , because really, who wants coffee all over their shirt?

Another reusable coffee cup that we like is the Panda Cup Eco Friendly Reusable Coffee Cup because of how much it looks like your typical Starbucks cup If you eat a lot of take-out, then you should use these stainless steel Food Storage Containers from JaceBox. They're airtight and leak-proof so you won't have to worry about your favorite food spilling on the pavement.

This isn't something we can say about Styrofoam take-out containers, to be honest. Best of all, the company promises that these containers are virtually indestructible. If you travel a lot and would prefer something that's less bulky, these collapsible Silicone Food Storage Containers from Collapse-it would make for a great replacement to single-use food containers. The company claims that, since they're made primarily of inert silicone and oxygen, they're better for both your health and the environment.

Yes, you can put Styrofoam in the recycling bin in some areas. However, there are many local governments who do not accept it in their curbside recycling programs. You can recycle Styrofoam at home if there is a curbside recycling program in your area that allows you to put it in the recycling bin. You may also donate it to delivery persons that come to your door since they might be able to repurpose it as packing peanuts.

You can help turn old Styrofoam into many everyday items including surfboards, ceiling molding, and coat hangers if you recycle it at a dedicated center. Yes, Styrofoam egg cartons can be recycled if you take them to a specialized recycling center like GreenCitizen. In some cases, you can put them in a recycling bin but only if your local government has a curbside recycling program. No, vinegar will not dissolve Styrofoam because vinegar is not hot nor concentrated enough. So, is Styrofoam recyclable?

The only way to reduce the damage that has already been done is to make drastic changes to the materials that are used within the industry.

Unsure What Is Vermiculite? Check Out Our Guide! Options for takeout containers and cups are PLA-lined paper, aluminum and poly-coated paper. For shipping and packaging, a more environmentally conscious option is for companies to choose coarse vermiculite. What is vermiculite? In its final expanded form, vermiculite shares many of the properties that polystyrene possesses, such as shock absorption and water-resistance, making it a suitable choice for packaging materials for shipping.

Vermiculite is a lightweight thermal insulation filler with an extremely low density. Other materials you might consider for your shipping business that are better for the planet than styrofoam include: Air pillows Corrugated bubble wrap Biodegradable packing peanuts Taking Steps for Global Change To halt the current climate crisis, every industry has to do its part to reduce, reuse and recycle where possible, and shipping is no exception.

Not only is it better for the environment, but it also protects human and marine health run by reducing pollutants in our drinking water. Making your packaging sustainable is also a massive selling point for consumers trying to make green choices when they shop. Related Posts. Open Head vs. Recent posts. What Is a Tier Supplier?