Styrofoam or styrofoam is a common designation for EPS material which is a type of plastic. To dispose of Styrofoam, remove and separate the parts that can still be recycled first and then cut into smaller pieces before being put in the regular trash. To recycle styrofoam, make sure the material is plain white and has the recycling triangle symbol on it. Contact your local recycling facility to see if they can accommodate it. If recycling isn't an option, you can still reuse Styrofoam to make creative crafts.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Discarding Styrofoam
Step 1. Remove the recyclable parts of the styrofoam
Observe carefully whether there is paper, cardboard, or glass on the styrofoam material. Set that part aside for recycling later. You can put it in the recycling box or take it directly to your local recycling facility.
- Note that only items that have not been contaminated with food or medical waste can be recycled.
- Contact your local recycling facility if you're not sure what kind of waste they can process.
Step 2. Cut the styrofoam to make it smaller and easier to remove
If you have a large styrofoam container or board, first cut it into smaller pieces. That way, you can more easily put it in the trash bag. In addition, you can also fit more Styrofoam into one garbage bag.
Step 3. Throw the Styrofoam in the trash
This step is not only recommended, but also recommended by several waste management institutions. Recycling Styrofoam costs a lot of money. Therefore, allocating the cost to recycle styrofoam is not worth the results. Follow the instructions of your local waste management agency and dispose of Styrofoam with your daily waste.
Method 2 of 3: Recycling Styrofoam
Step 1. Make sure your styrofoam is plain white
In general, the Styrofoam that is most likely to be recycled is the Styrofoam container that is white and clean. If it is colored, chances are, your styrofoam will not be accepted by the recycling facility. You are also more likely to recycle Styrofoam blocks than packing peanuts (small styrofoam to fill the voids in the packaging).
Step 2. Look for the recycling triangle symbol on the styrofoam
Generally, plain white recyclable styrofoam has a triangle symbol with the number 6 on the inside.
- Styrofoam can be turned into plastic, exported to be made into photo frames and then resold.
- Keep in mind that almost all food containers, cups, and Styrofoam plates are considered waste because they are contaminated with food. Meanwhile, styrofoam for medical purposes also cannot be reused even though both have the recycling triangle symbol.
Step 3. Contact your local recycling facility to find out where Styrofoam is stored
Some waste management institutions are willing to accept Styrofoam used for food pans and/or clean egg containers. Visit your local waste management agency's website to find out what materials can be recycled there.
Enter the name of the city you live in into the Google search box and add Styrofoam to find your local recycling facility
Step 4. Contact a temporary garbage collection center near where you live
There may be a temporary garbage collection site that will accept your used Styrofoam. Look for a place like this on the internet. Contact the manager first to find out what kind of styrofoam they receive.
- All Styrofoam containers must be clean and empty. Remove the label, adhesive, or plastic coating first.
- If you have a lot of Styrofoam that you want to recycle, you may have to pay a fee.
Step 5. Send styrofoam if there are no recycling facilities available in your area
You can find the location of Styrofoam recycling facilities on the internet. You may have to pay shipping costs. Clean the styrofoam from debris then cut it into small pieces and then put it in a box for shipping.
Method 3 of 3: Reusing or Making Creative Use of Styrofoam
Step 1. Reuse peanut packing when shipping goods
Online sellers use peanut packing because they want to protect the goods during shipping. If you want to ship a package, try using the peanut packing you have. If you don't need it, you can try donating it to a local online shop you know.
Step 2. Use styrofoam to make equipment, stage decorations, or crafts
Styrofoam is great for making costumes or decorations because of its lightweight material. Make a pattern from styrofoam according to the shape you want then cut it. Use paint or marker to make inexpensive, but sturdy equipment and stage backdrops.
- Make a magic wand by cutting Styrofoam into stars. Make a hole in the bottom with a pencil. Pour glue into the hole then insert a wooden stick as the handle.
- Use a marker or paint to turn the Styrofoam plate into the sun.
- Glue the peanut packing with glue to form a small igloo.
Step 3. Take advantage of packing peanut or pieces of Styrofoam as a pot filler
That way, you don't need to use too much growing media. This styrofoam layer will also make the plant pot lighter while smoothing the flow of water.
Step 4. Use styrofoam to decorate the house
With a little effort, you can use Styrofoam to decorate the room. For example, make a beautiful sculpture in the garden from Styrofoam blocks, or cut Styrofoam to fill a homemade beanbag chair.
