The EPS Industry Alliance (EPS-IA) has awarded the annual
Excellence in EPS Recycling Award to ReFoamIt,
a company that organizes foam recycling collections.
The award is presented to companies that display an
extraordinary commitment to the advancement of expanded
polystyrene (EPS) recycling.
The winner of this year's award was chosen by judges from
several fields related to recycling and sustainability: Nina
Goodrich, Executive Director of GreenBlue, Brenda Pulley,
Senior VP of Recycling at Keep America Beautiful, Lisa
McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor of Packaging Digest
and Patty Moore, President & CEO of Moore Recycling
Associates, Inc.
ReFoamIt was started in 2009 by David and Barbara Sherman
in Framingham, Massachusetts. Originally started as an
EPS recycling advocacy group, they began collecting foam
part-time to be transported to a recycling plant out of state.
Today, ReFoamIt is a full-time business that organized over
60 foam recycling collection events last year, servicing 12%
of Massachusetts municipalities. Each event collects between
30 and 40 cubic yards of scrap foam. They work with local
governments, community organizations, hospitals and local
businesses to organize collections and spread the message
that EPS is a fully recyclable material.
Several other nominees received honorable mentions for
their contributions to EPS recycling. NOVA Chemicals and
the Pennsylvania Resource Council were acknowledged
for their EPS recycling collection events across Pennsylvania,
which were responsible for collecting three 26' trucks of
foam. The City of Houston, which recently instituted the
first EPS recycling program of its kind in the region, received
mention for fulfilling the requests of its citizens for a local
recycling solution. Houston now recycles 2,000 lbs. of EPS
per month. Nine Lives Products was recognized for their
innovative Glu6 product, which uses natural processes to
recycle EPS in to various types of glue.
The Excellence in EPS Recycling Award was created to
acknowledge companies, programs and organizations
that go above and beyond in their efforts to promote and
improve EPS recycling. The EPS Industry Alliance believes this
recognition serves to highlight exemplary members of the
EPS recycling industry who serve as exceptional examples and
further promote EPS as a versatile and sustainable material.
EPS Recycling
Achievements
Honored
3
EPS Recycling Advancements
&
Technology Innovations
Case Study
The
Challenge:
Innovation
Boost expanded polystyrene recycling in commercial
and residential waste streams through advancements in
EPS recycling technologies, innovations that result in
material processing efficiencies and new program
developments or existing program improvements that
significantly increase EPS recycling. Demonstrate a wide
variety of EPS recycling solutions to facilitate broader
recognition and adoption of EPS recycling practices.
Sustainable Solutions by Glu6
Nine Lives Products launched a new recycled glue product made from a
blend of recycled polystyrene waste and plant-based ingredients. Using a
natural, citrus-based terpene blend that dissolves the polystyrene waste,
shrinking it by more than 30 times it original size, Glu6 is a 100%
recycled content consumer product. Glu6 maintains third-party certification
in compliance with ASTM D-4236, Standard Practice for Labeling Art
Materials for Chronic Health Hazards.
Founded in 2012, Glu6 is an innovative end use for recycled polystyrene
and a 2014 recipient of the EPS-IA Excellence in EPS Recycling
Honorable Mention Award. Currently it is the only recycled content glue
available to consumers and is available in three forms: school glue, craft
paste and a non-porous liquid glue. New and ongoing market
development is a key aspect of viable recycling initiatives and this new
end-use market brings yet another opportunity for recycled polystyrene
to gain a new life.
Notable Achievements
With a new manufacturing facility in northern California,
Glu6 is made from polystyrene foam waste collected
and proudly made in the U.S.A.
Located in the San Francisco Bay area, Glu6 takes
things a step further and provides residential curbside
pickup for polystyrene foam waste for a nominal fee.
Whether a one-time pickup or periodic service, starting
as low as $4.95/month, the fees help defray the
collection costs.
Benchmarks
100% Recycled Content Feedstock
Bio-based Additives
~200,000 Lbs Waste Polystyrene Collected
Volume Reduction of 30-50x Per Jar/Bottle of Glu6
Commercial & Residential Benefits
(800) 607-3772 • www.epsindustry.org
Copyright 2014
Learn more about the unique partnership program with NOVA
Chemicals and the PA Resource Council that is successfully
recycling EPS foam throughout the state. View Video >>
To highlight EPS recycling advancements, the EPS-IA has
created case studies which will be highlighted in each
issue of EPS Newsline and on our website. Our first case
study features Glu6, made from recycled EPS foam.
