How Styrofoam Recycling Works in North Carolina
If you lived in Asheville NC since 2011 and you're a rabid recycler then you're familiar with the Hard 2 Recycle Collections.
Founded in 2011 by Rainbow Recycling, Hard 2 Recycle events are free to the public collections geared toward bringing awareness to other modes of recycling to our area. There are five yearly collections; each new event has surpassed the last in the amount of items we keep out of the Landfill.
One of the most difficult items to reuse or recycle is styrofoam, otherwise known as polystyrene, a petrochemical by-product.
Packing Peanuts
In between Hard 2 Recycle events packaging peanuts can be collected for reuse. Shipping companies such as FedEx, UPS, and Pack & Post with take previously shipped peanuts and use them again. Plan on collecting any packaging peanuts you receive and contact your local shipping company to get more information about when and where to drop your stash!
Block Styrofoam
At this point in regional remanufacturing, we're limited to accepting only block styrofoam for recycling. This form of polystyrene is bulky, messy and takes up a good amount of space.
Smaller styrofoam items used in the food industry, such as cups and to go containers, are created using a different heated molding process that makes them unable to be recycled currently in NC.
Below are a few pictures from International Cushioning Co., the company that processes the recyclable block styrofoam you help us collect, forming it into new molds or even creating insulation.
Open Box Moving Solutions
Open Box Moving Solutions (Green movers in Asheville, NC) is a generous sponsor of all our Hard 2 Recycle events, including supporting the transportation of collected styrofoam to Hickory, NC. This family owned company plants one tree for every move they help make happen. As stated on their website their goal is: "To provide the highest level of service at affordable prices, with the least environmental impact possible, allowing our customers to save money while supporting eco-friendly practices." Many thanks for all their support!
