What is polystyrene and why is it used?
Polystyrene is frequently mistaken for Styrofoamâ„¢, a trademarked brand of insulation by Dow Chemical Company. However, it is actually a thermoplastic utilized in both rigid and foam applications. Polystyrene is distinguished by the #6 resin identification code, a system utilized for identifying plastics for recycling purposes.
Types of Foam #6
Polystyrene foam finds application across various industries, including automotive, appliances, electronics, and transportation, owing to its functionality, cost-effectiveness, and exceptional insulating and protective properties.
Common uses for foam #6 include:
- Food and beverage containers such as cups, plates, bowls, food trays, and clamshell containers.
- Transportation packaging for electronics, furniture, and delicate items, including fish. This lightweight foam can be molded into any desired shape, offering superior protection and insulation.
- Loose-fill packaging. While some packing peanuts are made of polystyrene foam, it's essential to ensure that only polystyrene-based materials are included in foam #6 recycling programs to prevent contamination and preserve the quality of the recyclable material.
- Medical coolers used for maintaining critical temperatures during the shipment of vaccines and medicines to hospitals, clinics, and homes. Certain pharmaceutical companies provide mail-back programs, facilitating easy recycling of medical coolers. These programs typically include pre-paid return labels for mailing used coolers to recycling centers.
The acceptance criteria for foam products for recycling may vary among processing facilities. It's advisable to verify with your local recycling facility to determine the types of foam accepted for recycling.