ABQ Foam Recycling/The Foam Recycler, a polystyrene foam recycling service in central New Mexico, received a $38,800 grant from the Foodservice Packaging Institute’s Foam Recycling Coalition (FRC) to fund the purchase and installation of a foam densifier.
Densifiers are used to compact #6 foam products, such as cups, plates, clamshells, egg cartons and block packaging foam, into foam blocks or ingots. The facility sells the foam ingots to end markets in California, New Jersey and Canada to be manufactured into picture frames, light switch covers, crown molding and electronic cases.
ABQ Foam Recycling/The Foam Recycler services a population of almost one million people in metro Albuquerque through a drop-off location, community events and commercial pick-up service.
“We are looking to not only lead in recycling polystyrene foam materials in New Mexico, but also serve as educators on recycling these materials,” said Tom Spadafora of ABQ Foam Recycling/The Foam Recycler. “Repurposing foam materials and keeping it out of landfills is our top priority.”
Residents and businesses in the metro Albuquerque area will see the service promoted via local municipality partnerships, social media, local publications, neighborhood associations, and other local and regional engagements.
“ABQ Foam Recycling/The Foam Recycler is extending polystyrene foam recycling to a significant residential population and commercial sector in the metro Albuquerque area,” said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute. “Supporting programs that provide access to additional foam recycling and divert the material from landfills and into new products is at the heart of the Foam Recycling Coalition.”
The grant is made possible through contributions to FRC, which focuses exclusively on increased recycling of post-consumer foam polystyrene. Its members include Americas Styrenics; Chick-fil-A; CKF Inc.; Dart Container Corp.; Dyne-A-Pak; Genpak; INEOS Styrolution America LLC; Lifoam Industries, LLC; Pactiv Evergreen; and Republic Plastics.