Styrofoam is like Kleenex: People call it by its brand name.
Styrofoam is actually the material polystyrene. For this article, I'm focusing on expanded polystyrene (EPS), the form we are most likely to encounter in our everyday lives.
EPS can morph into packing peanuts, raw meat packing trays, takeout containers, disposable cups and plates, and blocks in appliance boxes.
John, an Insider reader, asked me about recycling EPS. It is often imprinted with a number 6, which would indicate it can be recycled. Yet our transfer station posts no Styrofoam. Now what?
Avoid it as much as you can. EPS is a petroleum product. It is formed using benzene, a known human carcinogen. EPS does not biodegrade and is fatal to animals that ingest it. It blocks their digestive tracts and results in starvation.
If you have storage space, saving original cartons with foam inserts can come in handy when you need to move the items. You can also make your own packing peanuts by breaking down larger foam blocks into smaller chunks. Craft shops and classes often need foam trays or plates.
The Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers (AFPR) has a website that outlines a mailback program for accepted items. Since EPS goods are lightweight, it is fairly inexpensive to ship off sizeable quantities for recycling. For folks or businesses who find themselves awash in the stuff, you might consider selling it.
The Recyclinator
