In the United States, foam recycling laws are different in every state. Foam recycling laws include limitations in many aspects, for example, types of foam that can be accepted.
In some states and regions, the local government bans the usage of foam, so there aren’t any recycling laws there. For example, the Los Angeles government has banned foam products from 2022, aiming to build a zero-waste city. In more regions, there still exists detailed laws for recycling. New York City has a Foam Recycling Program that requires certain businesses and organizations to separate and recycle foam products. This includes foam food containers, cups, and trays. The program provides resources and guidance on how to properly recycle foam. San Francisco has a comprehensive recycling program that includes foam products. Residents and businesses can recycle clean and dry foam materials, including foam packaging, cups, and trays, through the city’s curbside recycling program.
The foam takes up 25-30% of space in landfills globally. Recycling foam can help save space in landfills and reduce costs. What’s more, it benefits the environment and pushes to achieve a circular economy. Last year, Mecklenburg County launched a recycling program, aiming to keep foam out of landfills. Residents in Mecklenburg County can drop off their foam waste in four recycling locations in the city rather than putting it in the garbage. To quickly implement the recycling program, the county invested in two foam densifiers. The foam densifier can melt down and compress the foam into ingots, which then be turned into new products like home decorations, picture frames, mirror frames, and so on. We can get value from recycling.
Foam recycling should be taken seriously. Fortunately, more and more countries and regions now are saying no to foam pollution. There are various recycling events held around the world, targeting to help solve global foam pollution issues. INTCO Recycling also keeps on contributing its own effort to provide foam recycling solutions to the world.