Styrofoam melting machine may help FRC double its recycling data

Initiatives and funding from groups like the Foam Recycling Coalition (FRC) in Virginia have helped consumers gain access to EPS recycling, EPS-IA said. The number of consumers benefiting from the FRC’s thickener grant program grew from 4 million to 12.4 million between 2019 and 2023, EPS-IA said. The amount of EPS collected for recycling by FRC-supported programs nearly doubled during that period, from about 4.2 million tons to 800 tons, the group added.

EPS-IA also noted that New Jersey-based Foam Cycle, which provides municipalities with a turnkey EPS recycling system, has gained traction in 29 cities, adding another 5,750 tons of EPS available to consumers. “As the EPS recycling infrastructure continues to grow, EPS-IA encourages consumers and businesses to take advantage of the more than 400 existing drop-off locations that can be found on EPS-IA’s North American EPS Recycling Map,” the organization said.

North America has strict control over the recycling of styrofoam, also known as EPS. In particular, in recent years, there have been relatively clear restrictions on the use and recycling of styrofoam. Therefore, doing a good job of recycling is one of the important prerequisites for the efficient use of styrofoam materials. As a local North American machinery brand, GREENMAX has unique insights into the recycling of styrofoam, especially in recent years, it has helped more and more North American customers to recycle styrofoam. One of the most frequently used equipment is the styrofoam melting machine.

GREENMAX styrofoam melting machine uses hot melt technology to compress the air in styrofoam. Unlike Europe, the United States prefers hot melt technology because it can achieve a higher compression ratio of styrofoam, about 90:1. The use of GREENMAX styrofoam melting machine is also relatively simple, and the types of materials that can be processed are not limited to styrofoam waste, but also EPE, EPP, etc.

Bowers continues, "EPS is being recycled in greater quantities, and the expansion of access and infrastructure points to more progress ahead." "EPS recycling has the potential to make a substantial contribution to a more sustainable economy with sustained innovation and investment. We urge communities and companies to take advantage of these growing opportunities.