Monroe County Adds Styrofoam Recycling Equipment

The Pennsylvania waste authority is using new equipment to convert bulky expanded polystyrene packaging into compact blocks for sale to downstream manufacturers, while offering residents a dedicated recycling option.

MONTREAL (RecyclingMonster): The Monroe County Waste Authority in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, has introduced equipment to process bulky Styrofoam packaging into compact blocks that can be sold for manufacturing applications.

The new system gives the waste authority an alternative to landfilling the lightweight packaging material, which can occupy substantial space in household garbage containers.

Executive director Mike Stettler explained the disposal challenge:

"Not being able to recycle it means that we're going to have to landfill it. If you bought a TV or a large appliance or something like that, there goes your garbage can for the week, with all Styrofoam going to the landfill."

New Recycling Equipment Converts Styrofoam Into Compact Blocks

Stettler said the waste authority received a partial grant toward purchasing the equipment, which breaks down and heats the foam before forming it into dense blocks.

Describing the process, he said:

"It takes the Styrofoam, it chews it up a little bit and then heats it up and takes the oxygen out, and then we make the blocks that you'll see them making over there."

According to Stettler, approximately five cubic yards of Styrofoam are required to produce one block.

Consolidating the material into blocks makes it possible for the authority to sell the processed polystyrene to companies using it in other products.

Recovered Polystyrene Can Supply Manufacturing Markets

The authority identified several potential markets for the processed material, including molding and trim production, polystyrene manufacturing and rigid foam insulation.

Stettler described the downstream uses:

"Send it to a place in New Jersey that makes moldings and trim for the cruise ship industry, or there's also a couple other buyers that make it back into polystyrene, or they can also make it into rigid foam insulation for building projects," said Stettler.

These markets provide possible outlets for material that would otherwise be difficult for the local waste authority to manage through conventional disposal or recycling channels.

Monroe County Residents Offered Free Styrofoam Recycling

According to the reported program information, Monroe County residents can bring qualifying Styrofoam to the waste authority for recycling at no charge.

Officials said the material must be clean and free of tape or other attached packaging materials.

The authority is seeking the white, breakable expanded polystyrene foam commonly used to protect televisions, appliances and other products during shipment.

Stettler explained the material identification requirement:

"Look for just number six; that's the white, puffy stuff that you can break apart, and you see the little round, air-filled balls of polystyrene to break apart; that's what we're looking for," said Stettler.

The #6 designation identifies polystyrene, but residents should follow the waste authority's specific acceptance instructions rather than assume that every product carrying the #6 marking qualifies for the program.

Why Styrofoam Processing Matters for Waste Management

Expanded polystyrene packaging is lightweight but occupies considerable storage and transportation space. Processing it into compact blocks can make the material easier to handle and move to downstream manufacturers.

For Monroe County, the equipment creates a dedicated processing route for qualifying foam packaging and a potential market for the recovered polystyrene.

The reported program also offers residents a way to separate eligible packaging foam from their household garbage, provided it meets the authority's cleanliness and material requirements.

Courtesy: www.wnep.com