Dive Brief:

• Michigan-based Dart Container Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of foam cups and containers, is providing free foam recycling to residents, businesses and organizations of Dallas County in Texas. The new drop-off center, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, accepts foam labeled with a #6 chasing arrows symbol. The material is frequently used to make foam take-out containers as well as in other packaging.
• The Dallas drop-off site will accept recyclable foam products including cups, egg cartons, meat trays, ice chests, and foam used to package and ship fragile materials. 
• The material will be recycled to make multiple products including picture frames, baseboards, and crown molding.

Dive Insight:

“We hope that this new and free recycling drop-off facility will encourage Dallas residents to recycle foam materials they may otherwise throw away," said Michael Westerfield at Dart Container Corporation. He notes that the new facility is one of more than 85 Dart drop-offs in North America.

There has been debate over whether foam #6 can be recycled. And some who do not debate that the material can be recycled question whether enough facilities can process it. On its website, Dart Container contended, "Foam #6 is a thermoplastic, which means that it can be completely recycled." 

The company said it has the capability and infrastructure to handle the process. And a few cities have taken the task on themselves; Los Angeles, CA; Baltimore, MD; Yonkers, NY and Madison, WI have launched their own foam recycling programs.

Once it’s collected, according to a company press release, the foam is recycled into multiple product types, including picture frames, baseboards, and crown molding.