Falmouth, MA Brings Polystyrene Recycling To Fruition

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): A town meeting banned the use of expanded polystyrene foam (EPS), commonly known as Styrofoam, in Falmouth back in 2018. But even with the ban, when residents buy televisions or receive large packages, EPS still makes its way back into the trash.

This summer Ken Jones came before the solid waste advisory committee and pitched the idea of recycling the material. Even though recycling ESP can be difficult—there is no federal funding available, very few recyclers will accept it and it is bulky and difficult to transport—Mr. Jones said he successfully helped the county he lived in back in New Jersey launch an ESP recycling program that diverted 11 tons of ESP from the landfill in three years.

On November 23, with the help of the department of public works and volunteers from the high school, the group hosted the town’s first-ever ESP recycling event. Despite the blustery weather and limited advertising, turnout for this pilot event was good. Residents dropped off 30 cubic yards of the material.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com