How Can Styrofoam Be Recycled In Your Office?

Can your Styrofoam actually be recycled to help manage its damaging effects?

Yes, it can. Many North American businesses have opted to reduce their use of non-biodegradable packaging to be more environmentally conscious, yet Styrofoam is still used in a high volume in some companies. Styrofoam is less commonly accepted at recycling facilities than plastic or paper due to high costs and energy usage for processing, but you can recycle it in your office with a little extra effort.

Things to Remember About Recycling Styrofoam

First, you should never put Styrofoam with other recyclables. That is a common mistake people make without realizing the danger or issues it can cause. Different plastics require different recycling streams to process the materials. Under no circumstances can Styrofoam be recycled with your plastic bottles, old newspapers, or aluminum cans. Ensure you have separate receptacles for all of these items in your office.

Furthermore, you should make sure to identify that the material you have is indeed Styrofoam. Look for the number six inside a recycling triangle, usually on the bottom of the item, to ensure that the product you are trying to recycle is Styrofoam.

You may be especially familiar with Styrofoam if you work at a shipping company since the material is primarily produced for packaging purposes. If you work in a packaging facility or regularly receive many shipments to your office, ensure that you have recycling measures in place to safely dispose of a large volume of Styrofoam inserts or packing peanuts.

Make Sure It’s Contaminant-Free

When recycling Styrofoam, also known as extruded polystyrene foam (EPS or XPS), make sure that it is free of contaminants. A clean, contaminant-free piece of material makes the recycling process easier.

Remove any tape and labels on the foam before recycling. Also, you should take time to clear off any other packing materials. If you send your Styrofoam waste to a recycling facility with any other materials on it, the foam might end up at the nearest landfill, as it is considered compromised or contaminated and unrecyclable. Rinse your food containers and cups before recycling them. Better yet! Eliminate these disposable items from your office. Choose reusable mugs, plates, silverware, and containers, instead of their Styrofoam or plastic counterparts.

Make sure you learn what type of polystyrene cannot be recycled. Usually, food containers and egg containers aren’t recycled because they are considered expanded polystyrene foam. This kind of foam has more of a plastic feel to it and can’t be recycled in the same way as regular Styrofoam.

By knowing how to handle certain waste items and how to eliminate the use of others, you can successfully recycle Styrofoam in your office. Call Waste Wise Products today for help with your office waste needs! We can help you make smart decisions with your recycling.