How to Recycle Foam Cubes

Recycling is good for both society and the environment.

Recycling is an earth-friendly way to dispose of materials that are no longer wanted or needed. As society has become more aware of the negative effects landfills have on the environment, people have started looking for more eco-friendly alternatives to throwing garbage away. Foam cubes are a large portion of many people's trash because Styrofoam cubes are used often in packaging common products. Recycling these cubes has been difficult in the past, but now has become a simple process.

Instructions

1. Locate a recycling facility near you that accepts Styrofoam cubes. Not all recycling facilities take foam cubes, and some that do require you to pay them to accept the Styrofoam. Several facilities that use mail-in programs so you can mail your recyclables for free. Go to Earth911.com and use the searching tool at the top of the homepage to find a facility near you that accepts Styrofoam.

2. Consult the list of foam recyclers provided by the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers (see Resources). The list offers drop-off sites for expanded polystyrene (EPS) materials.

3. Follow recycling guidelines. Most recycling facilities require Styrofoam to be clean, white cubes or blocks. Foam contaminated by food or liquid will not be accepted.

4. Drop off your foam cubes at the nearest recycling facility that accepts Styrofoam. Taking several trips for small amounts of cubes is inconvenient, so collecting your Styrofoam cubes for a while before taking one trip to the recycling facility to drop them off is easier and better for the environment.

References

• Waste Management: Styrofoam Recycling Guidelines

Resources

• Earth 911: Find a Recycling Center Near You
• Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers: EPS Packaging Drop Off Locations