How to Recycle Number 6 Styrofoam

Fast food creates styrofoam waste.

Number 6 styrofoam, or polystyrene, is not usually accepted at curbside recycling programs. Don't despair, as other means of recycling are available. The first step involves merely taking the time to separate it from other trash. Earth911 is a place to start for useful how-to-recycle procedures and pertinent information concerning this lightweight product found just about everywhere in the consumer marketplace. If you have children at home or school, just about any type of styrofoam can become an entertaining craft or toy project. You'll be amazed at what a child can do with cups, trays, egg cartons, scissors and glue.

Things You'll Need

• Clean, plastic garbage bags
• Boxes
• Stamps
• Labels
• Internet access
• Vehicle for transport
• Styrofoam peanuts, cups, trays, fast-food packaging
• Craft making items of your choice
• Construction paper
• Paint brushes
• Paint
• Scissors
• Potting soil
• Plants
• Planting pots
• Seedlings or seeds
• Saucers

Instructions

Separate and Store It

1. 

   Peanuts as packaging

   Separate cleaned styrofoam according to shape such as peanuts in one pile, cups in another, plates in a third and so on. Alternately, separate it according to the function planned for it, such as packing material in one pile, craft projects in another. If the styrofoam is meant for random distribution, dividing is not necessary.

2. Break up large pieces into smaller chunks for later use as packaging fillers, to use in potting soil or for random distribution. This makes for ready, easier manipulation when needed or to stuff more product into a smaller space.

3. Stuff styrofoam into the separate bags according to use -- peanuts, torn pieces for packaging, gardening or random distribution. Carefully place whole pieces into bags for later use as crafts, toys or as potting receptacles.

4. Tie each bag closed so no pieces can escape. Label for later use.

5. Store filled garbage bags for personal use in a closet, attic or basement until they are needed. Pack bags filled with styrofoam for random distribution into a vehicle for transport or boxes for mailing.

Craft Projects

1. 

   Beads and buttons

   Place assorted whole pieces of styrofoam on a tabletop. Include egg cartons, scissors, glue, sequins, google eyes, plastic gems, yarn, plastic straws, colored pipe cleaners, several sizes of colored pompoms, a hole punch, paint brushes, paint, construction paper and anything else that might ignite a child's imagination for creation. If desired, have instructions on hand for particular craft creations. These can be found on the Internet and in the library or book store.

2. 

   Paint brushes

   Open egg cartons. Pour a different color paint into each egg holder. Use the lid to lay wet brushes in or as a mixing palette for paint.

3. 

   Happy children

   Let the children have a blast by coming up with their own ideas, unless there are specific projects with instructions. Assistance might be needed for reading instructions and performing each task.

Gardening Projects

1. Add crushed or torn styrofoam pieces to potting soil before introducing plants or seeds to a pot. It makes an efficient conductor for water drainage and helps protect the plant from root rot.

2. Fill styrofoam cups and bowls part way with potting soil.

3. Press a small plant or seed into the soil.

4. Poke a hole in the bottom of the container so water can drain and no root rot occurs.

5. Place an old saucer underneath the cup or bowl to prevent water damage on surface areas.

Donate, Sell, Mail It

1. Research, either by telephone, newspaper or the Internet to find schools and businesses that utilize Styro Solve, a process where the styrofoam is converted into a recyclable gel.

2. Load the car and take recycled styrofoam to craft shops. They sometimes use recycled styrofoam for use as packing material or for their customers to use in projects. Shipping retailers such as UPS, Mail Boxes Etc., Postal Annex and Fed Ex/Kinko's may also take recycled packing styrofoam for their own use.

3. Resell, if you collect a lot of Styrofoam, as it might be profitable for its value. Check out several databases to find buyers. American Chemistry, Plastics Markets and Earth911 are three located on the Internet.

4. Mail it, as a last resort to throwing styrofoam away. Several mail back initiatives are available for U.S. residences sent via U.S. mail. Box the styrofoam and add sufficient postage.

Tips & Warnings

• Many solutions are available for recycling number 6 styrofoam. Finding ways to give it a second life can become a family, school and community affair.

• Styrofoam is hazardous as waste. Made with petroleum, a non-sustainable resource, it pollutes the environment. Landfills are filled with it. It is not biodegradable, so it will never deteriorate, making recycling the only viable solution.

• Be aware when allowing young children to play with recycled styrofoam. If they are still teething, they may chew it instead of playing with it, thus creating a choking hazard. Four years and older is the best age to start allowing them access.

References

• Green Living Tips: Recycling Styrofoam
• Earth911: Tips on Recycling Plastic #6
• AFPR: Thinking Clean. Acting Green
• International Foam Solutions: Home

Resources

• Kaboose: Recycled Styrofoam Tray Stamps