Dart Container Corp. opens free PS Foam recycling facility in Chicago

CHICAGO (Scrap Monster): The Mason, Michigan headquartered Dart Container Corp. has announced opening of a new polystyrene (PS) foam collection and recycling center in Chicago. The drop-off site located at 7575 Kostner Ave., Chicago will be open to public access 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

List of accepted items

The new facility offers a 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.

According to Michael Westerfield of Dart Container, the facility is one among nearly 85 such facilities provided by the company across North America. He urged local residents and businesses to make maximum use of the free facility and expressed the hope that the facility will encourage Dallas residents to recycle foam materials, instead of throwing in trash.

A word of caution

The users of the drop-off facility 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 recycling facility. Also, foam packaging peanuts will not be accepted at the facility.

Dart’s chain of recycling facilities

Dart receives foam from local schools, community recyclers, supermarkets, hospitals, manufacturing plants, cafeterias, and individuals across the US for recycling. The company operates more than 40 polystyrene drop-off locations in over 30 counties in its home state of Michigan. The foam collected at the facility is recycled into number of useful products including picture frames, baseboards and crown molding.

Is Styrofoam 100% recyclable?

There have been arguments on whether styrofoam is 100% recyclable. While many municipalities argue that it is not fully recyclable, organizations such as The Restaurant Action Alliance and companies like Dart Corp Container say that PS foam materials are recyclable. However, states possess limited infrastructure facilities to process these materials, they say. MRFs are increasingly adding EPS foam materials to their waste stream. The company notes that funding programs by municipalities must encourage recycling facilities to include polystyrene in their list of accepted materials.

About Data Container Corp.

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.