FAQ Series: Are Plymouth Foam Materials, Airpop® (EPS) and AIREHIDE® (EPP) Recyclable?
YES! Airpop® (EPS) and AIREHIDE® (EPP) materials are 100% recyclable. As an industry leader, we feel it is important to share our expertise as well as continue to educate and inform others of Plymouth Foam’s materials, capabilities and recycling initiatives.
Airpop® (EPS) Recyclability
For the past 25 years, Airpop® (EPS) has been successfully recycled by businesses and consumers throughout the United States. We are very proud of our industry and its advocacy for recycling and creating a sustainable environment.
By The 2016 Numbers:
- A total of 118.7 million pounds of Airpop® (EPS) was recycled
- 63 million pounds of post-consumer packaging was recycled
- 55.7 million pounds of post-industrial recovery was recycled
The EPS Industry Alliance (EPS-IA) has dedicated many resources towards developing programs for recycling initiatives. This includes, but is not limited to: nearly 300 drop-off locations, 82 curbside programs and more than 50 per year special collections events. A case study that was created by the EPS-IA is available by clicking here.
Our Airpop® (EPS) material is made of 98% air and polystyrene does not carry harmful chemicals during use or disposal. Please keep in mind that the material has to be stamped with the #6 PS logo (see image below) in order to be recyclable.
AIREHIDE® (EPP) Recyclability
AIREHIDE® (Expanded Polypropylene EPP) is non-toxic to the environment and also 100% recyclable. It’s important to note that AIREHIDE® materials are reusable, the material is free from harmful toxic ingredients and the combustion process does not produce toxic substances.
There are various ways to recycle AIREHIDE® (EPP) products. While Airpop® (EPS) is 98% air, AIREHIDE® (EPP) is composed of thermoplastic polymers.
These expanded polypropylene polymers allow the material to be melted, compressed and recycled into pellets during its recycling process. This material can then be reused in the next production stream. Up to 20% of the regrind material is acceptable use in most applications.
AIREHIDE® (EPP) is 100% curbside recyclable. The material is stamped with the #5 PP logo (see image below) is the same as Polypropylene plastics. You know Polypropylene (PP) as it is one of the important plastics that we use in everyday life.
We love it when you ask us these questions. Please continue to ask more or reach out to our team directly: sales@plymouthfoam.com.