Dart Container Corp. announces opening of three EPS Recycling Drop-Off centers

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Mason, Michigan headquartered Dart Container Corp. has announced opening of three new drop-off facilities to recycle expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, as part of its efforts to expand the network of infrastructure facilities capable to handle these materials. Earlier in October 2016, it had opened a drop-off facility at 2260 Delray Road, Thomaston, Georgia. Prior to that, Dart Container Corp. had opened a similar facility at7575 Kostner Avenue, Chicago during March last year.

According to the company press release, the new drop-off centers will be opened in Ada, Okla.; Urbana, Ill.; and Twin Falls, Idaho. The new facilities offer completely free-of-charge recycling solution for local residents, businesses and organizations to recycle foams with No 6 chasing arrows symbol on it. The materials accepted by the facility include variety of polystyrene foam including cups, food containers, egg cartons, meat trays, ice chests and packaging frequently used to protect fragile materials, such as TVs, during shipping. The foam thus collected will be responsibly recycled towards manufacture of various products including picture frames, baseboards and crown molding.

The users of the drop-off facilities must ensure that the foam material taken for recycling has the No. 6 chasing arrows symbol on it. The foam must be deposited in a clear or translucent bag. Also, food packaging foam materials should be thoroughly wiped or rinsed to ensure that they are free from food. In addition, non-foam materials such as straws, lids, tapes etc., must be removed before being brought to the drop-off centers. Also, foam packaging peanuts will not be accepted, Dart press release said.

Michael Westerfield, Recycling Director at Dart Container stated that the company is excited to open and promote free foam drop-off locations across the country. He urged all residents to make best use of the newly opened facilities to promote recycling of foam. He reminded that Styrofoam products are 100% recyclable although many people still doesn’t believe so.

The company’s sustainability initiative was recently recognized by the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA). The company was the winner of the ‘Leadership in Sustainability Award – Paper Recovery for Recycling’ category under the 2016 Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 Sustainability Awards. In addition, the company was also recognized as a superior supply by Charlotte, North Carolina-based Premier Inc.-a renowned healthcare improvement alliance. The award was in recognition for the support extended to alliance members in achieving outstanding customer service, value creation and cost efficiency. Recently, the company had joined the Recycling partnership as a funding member, with the aim to help the group’s efforts to promote curbside recycling.

Dart Container Corporation of Mason, Michigan, United States is the world's largest manufacturer of foam cups and containers, producing about as many as all competitors combined. Dart is an acknowledged leader in the manufacture of single-use food and beverage packaging products, with distribution across the globe. Dart Container is privately held by the Dart family.