While the idea of sustainability has moved past the novelty phase, the need to continue to look for meaningful ways to further reduce the constant stream of waste sent to landfills remains. That’s why the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI), Falls Church, Va., launched a new initiative that takes an important step in ensuring valuable reusable materials are recycled instead of sent to landfills.
In 2014, a dozen members of the FPI came together to establish the Foam Recycling Coalition (FRC) to provide direct support for the increased recycling of foodservice packaging made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. Foodservice industry items made of EPS foam include cups, plates, bowls and carryout containers. However, when considering items like the meat packaging and egg cartons from the grocery store often made from the same polystyrene foam, it is just as important to recycle these materials as it is to recycle plastic bottles. With this in mind, in 2015, the FRC, in association with the EPS Industry Alliance (EPS-IA), announced a new grant program to help businesses in the recycling industry increase their capacity to accept post-consumer EPS foam products.