Due to the great demand for foam recycling, Alpine Waste & Recycling in Denver, Colorado have purchased a foam densifer. The new equipment will make a great addition to their single stream capabilities and makes them the first company in Colorado to recycle polystyrene foam products. Since adding this new feature, Alpine says it has more than doubled its ability to process single-stream recycled materials. They are now the highest-capacity recycling processor in a contiguous 10-state region.
The new device condenses the polystyrene into blocks that are easier and more efficient to ship. The blocks are sold to companies that use recycled polystyrene to create new products. Some consumer products that can be made out of PS foam include building materials and picture frames. Check out this video on Home for Foam’s Youtube Channel to learn more!
The foam densifier is all made possible thanks to a grant from the Foam Recycling Coalition of the Foodservice Packaging Institute.
“Out of the dozens of applications from the U.S. and Canada, we were particularly impressed with Alpine’s thoughtfulness and plans for the future,” said Lynn Dyer, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute, which houses the coalition. “Alpine recognized the value and benefit of adding polystyrene foam to their already successful recycling program.”
In an article from Recycling Today, Alpine Waste & Recycling reports their excitement on the new equipment and how they look forward to seeing what is in store for foam recycling.
“We have come a long way in the recycling industry, and we’re proud to say that Alpine Waste & Recycling has never wavered in its role as a trendsetter,” says Brent Hildebrand, vice president of recycling at Alpine. “We’re excited to launch upon this next phase in which we will serve the community so effectively in its efforts to preserve our environment. Alpine’s investment in this plant will greatly increase the amount of material that is diverted away from landfills.” - Recycling Today
Moving forward, the Foodservice Packaging Institute will continue to offer grants that promote foam recycling in residential curbside, drop-off and commercial programs.
The grant is made possible through contributions by the Foam Recycling Coalition, which focuses exclusively on increased recycling of post-consumer polystyrene foam. Its members include Americas Styrenics; Cascades Canada ULC; CKF Inc.; Chick-fil-A; Commodore; Convermex; D&W Fine Pack; Dart Container Corp.; Dolco Packaging, A Tekni-Plex Company; Dyne-A-Pak; Genpak; Hawaii Foam Products; NOVA Chemicals Corp.; Pactiv Foodservice/Food Packaging; Shell Chemical LP; Styrolution America; and TOTAL Petrochemicals & Refining USA. Additional support of the coalition comes from the EPS Industry Alliance.
Are you interested in recycling polystyrene foam in your community? Check out these recycling tips that explain the foam recycling process. The process is seamless, and can leverage a city’s existing curbside recycling infrastructure. Find out how you can launch your own foam recycling program in your business or community today.
“Alpine Waste & Recycling completes MRF upgrade” (2015). Recyling Today. 19 August, 2015. Web. 26 October, 2015.