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Why Styrofoam Recycling IS Important

Lightweight foam packaging used to package electronics, appliances and food items such as egg or meat, is often referred to as Styrofoam. Styrofoam is the brand name and the material is called Polystyrene (or EPS). This type of plastic is identified by the #6, usually found somewhere on the packaging.

Recycling and diverting Polystyrene from landfills has a positive impact on our environment, our oceans and our health. Urban Impact can help you manage your Polystyrene with either regular or on-call collection.

Why Styrofoam Recycling is Important

Polystyrene is made from petroleum and can be recycled into new products. Polystyrene is noticeably lightweight as it is almost 90% air. Collecting and transporting Polystyrene to a recycling facility is costly because it is bulky, requiring more trucks to transport the materials.  

Polystyrene is banned from lower mainland landfills. Keeping it out of the waste stream allows you to avoid any landfill surcharges and because it doesn't break down for hundreds of years. 

Why Choose Urban Impact

We are committed to serving our community and supporting each customer in their Zero Waste reduction goals. Diverting Polystyrene from the waste stream is easy with Urban Impact. We provide regular service or on-call pick-ups when you have large deliveries. Our team will help you assess which container and service frequency best suits your needs.

Urban Impact removes Polystyrene that has been bagged in clear bags. If you have a large volume, we can provide many sizes of bins in which you can store your bagged Polystyrene. It is best to keep Polystyrene out of the weather and dry prior to collection. 

Perfect Size for Any Job
Styrofoam Recycling
...
96 Gallon Tote

35”(L) x 24”(W) x 43”(H)

...
Bailer

48” (H) x 60” (L) x 30” (W)

...
Mega Bag

48”(L) x 40”(W) x 42”(H)

 

Labels and Signage

Download signage to help your Styrofoam waste diversion efforts run smoothly.

Download PDF
Facts About
Recycling Styrofoam
  • About 98% of Styrofoam is actually air.
  • It takes around 500 years for polystyrene to decompose. Source: Society of Environmental Journalist
  • Besides air, Styrofoam is made of oil which creates a plastic called polystyrene. Polystyrene has a Resin Identification Code of 6, which is printed on the bottom of every polystyrene product.
  • Styrofoam is a lot like a plastic bag: it can sit in landfills for centuries, and it is toxic when burned.
  • Dumping Styrofoam into landfills is extremely harmful to our environment because it does not biodegrade.
  • An estimated 30% of all disposed Styrofoam resides in landfills worldwide.
  • Styrofoam is absolutely recyclable and when it is recycled it has major positive impact on the environment.
  • Once Styrofoam is dissolved in a solvent, the resulting sticky mixture can be used as permanent glue for crafts and industrial applications alike.