Recycling styrofoam (foam #6) in Texas

Styrofoam is the bane of our times. I see those torn smashed pieces of to-go cups and boxes laying along side the roads, under the green shrubs by my house, and in the think grass in the cleanest parts of the local greenbelt... Even if I try to avoid taking any styrofoam with me from food places, it still arrives to me in the form of trash appearing front of my house and packaging materials in parcels that I receive.

 

Once acquired, how to get rid of it?

In Texas, food-grade Styrofoam is very hard to recycle. Packaging material Styrofoam is a bit easier to recycle. Styrofoam peanuts are the easiest to get rid of.

First of all, the Ecology Action site is great for information on all types of recycling in North Texas

Peanuts 

Accepted as many shipping/mailing centers, such as Ship Express , Pack Mail, and UPS stores. All you need to do is to check with the nearest mailing centers around you to see who will take your peanuts.

Packaging material Styrofoam

Check the maps posted here to find a drop-off facility near you:

1) http://www.epspackaging.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37&Itemid=38
2) http://www.homeforfoam.com/foam-101/foam-recycling-centers

Also:

• City of Galveston is accepting all types of Styrofoam 
• City of Austin has information that it accepts Styrofoam, but other publish information contradicts that, so call the city department to check on the current rules for Styrofoam

Note: 1. CycledPlastics.com used to be a recycling center, but now appears to be sold/closed. 

2. Texas Single Stream recycling  is NOT accepting Strofoam 

Food and beverage containers

Check the maps posted here to find a drop-off facility near you:

1) http://www.epspackaging.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37&Itemid=38
2) http://www.homeforfoam.com/foam-101/foam-recycling-centers

Also:

• There is one recycling facility in Fort Bent County http://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/index.aspx?page=649#plastic
• City of Galveston is accepting all types of Styrofoam (https://www.facebook.com/cityofgalveston/posts/593818603965645)

For commercial companies, manufacturing facilities, offices - http://balconesresources.com/contact-us/dallas

MAIL-BACK LOCATION:

Depending on where in Texas you live, your best option may be mailing your materials, rather than dropping it off.

You can crush up the materials and mail them to this location (I would check with the first on any restrictions)

Texas Foam Fabricators, Inc. 

900 E. Keller Parkway Keller, TX 76248 817-379-6520

http://www.epspackaging.org/images/stories/National_Mail_Back_Program_1-16.pdf