If you check the bottom of almost any plastic bottle or container, you'll see a small number marked inside the three-arrow triangle symbol. This number identifies what type of resin plastic material the product is made of.
In 1988, the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) established a sorting system to help consumers and recyclers with sorting, processing, and disposal
Each number recycling code (also known as SPI code) tells us the chemical composition of the product.
We must not mix different types of foam because each foam must be recycled separately in a different machine. That is why we must pay attention to that little triangle (PSI code) because it is a guide for us and the recyclers
All the recycling numbers from 1 to 7 inside the arrow symbol.
The #1 foam is mostly bottles, water bottles, soda bottles, and oil bottles. The recycled material is used to make bags, rugs, fiberfill in winter clothing and more.
Bubble #2 is laundry and dish soap, soap bottles, milk and shampoo bottles, and grocery and toy bags. #2 Recycled Foam is used to make plastic boxes, plastic lumber, fences, etc.
#3 foam is commonly found in pipes, shower curtains, medical tubing, and seat covers. When recycled, it can be used to make flooring, trailer baseboards, and other industrial items.
Foam #4 includes grocery and sandwich bags, cling film, and squeeze bottles. When recycled, it can be used to make trash cans, lumber, furniture, and other household items.
The #5 foam is primarily Tupperware, yogurt containers, ketchup, syrup, and prescription bottles, and plastic pop bottle caps. When recycled, these items can be used to make ice scrapers, rakes, battery cables, and other durable items.
Foam #7 is any other recyclable material, a combination of 1 to 6, less commonly used. Examples: baby bottles, compact discs, and medical storage containers.
All polystyrene-based products are classified as resinous plastics, also known as #6 foam. It is also known by its trade name, Styrofoam, and includes a wide variety of products. Here's what foam#6 includes:
Foam Cups & Food Service Products
In this category we find drinking cups, food trays and food containers. It is the material of choice for takeout and fast food because it is lightweight, insulates well, retains temperature, and is inexpensive.
Bubble Wrap Peanuts
These peanuts keep the item being shipped from moving or getting damaged. Most curbside programs do not recycle or accept foam peanuts, but they can be reused.
Bubble packaging
This polystyrene is used for shipping electronics, furniture, and any fragile material. Packing foam provides protection and insulation. Its light weight helps reduce shipping costs and its excellent cushioning reduces breakage.
Foam Medical Coolers
EPS Medical Coolers are used to keep vaccines and drugs at critical temperatures while being transported to hospitals, clinics, medical institutions, and doctors' offices.
Wine and Food Cooler
EPS #6 foam is also used to transport wine and food, such as fish and meat. For example, a wine cooler can carry multiple bottles at once while providing insulation and protecting the bottles.
#6 foam can be recycled over and over again. It can be melted, minced or concentrated. Recycled foam will reduce the volume by more than 90% of its original size. For example, imagine 40,000 pounds of Styrofoam material is recycled and loaded onto a 48-foot trailer. But why do we recycle?
Foam has real value once it is recycled. Compacted, concentrated, densified, or melted foam can be sold to other companies that are willing to pay premium prices for it. They will mix the recycled foam with other materials to make it into a new product. For example, it can be mixed with concrete to make blocks that are strong enough but less expensive than regular blocks. They are also excellent insulation for building and construction. It is also used to make architectural moldings, picture frames, pony backpacks to hold plants, and more.
Now, with new efficient recycling equipment, recycling foam is easier than ever. There's no need to throw away space-consuming Styrofoam in landfills.
By recycling Styrofoam, we keep the planet green and protect the environment. We save energy by reducing the need to collect oil from the ground.
