Archive for the ‘Recycling Help’ Category

The Many Benefits of Foam Recycling

Thursday, June 20th, 2013

Guest Blog Post:

The Many Benefits of Foam Recycling

Commonly referred to as Styrofoam, a trademark of Dow Chemical, foam #6 is also known as polystyrene foam, expanded polystyrene, EPS, and foam. Since its light weight helps reduce shipping costs and its excellent cushioning properties result in less breakage, foam #6 is widely used to protect electronics during shipping. Similarly, it is the material of choice for egg cartons, fast food take-out containers, foam plates, and foam cups because it is lightweight, insulates well (maintains temperature), and is inexpensive. Another benefit of this material is that it is recyclable.

In fact, foam #6 is a thermoplastic, so it is technically recyclable over and over again. So why isn’t it being accepted in many community recycling programs? There are several reasons. First, it is not a significant portion of the waste stream. All foam #6 represents less than one percent of all products generated, by weight, in municipal solid waste.[1] Second, waste diversion goals are typically measured by weight, so the lightweight of foam makes it unattractive (a truckload of loose foam only weighs ~1,000 lbs). Third, it takes more effort to collect a pound of foam than a pound of glass or cardboard.

So why should we recycle foam? First, foam has real value once it has been compacted. There are now many markets for foam and the price they pay often exceeds the price of cardboard and other popular recycling commodities.

Second, new technology has made recycling foam much more efficient than in the past. For example, there are now many options for special compactors, called densifiers, that will compact foam to as much as an 85:1 ratio. This enables 40,000 lbs of material to fit on a 48’ trailer. The equipment also requires less space than in the past and it is able to efficiently process mixed densities of foam at the same time.  Plus, it does all of this while minimizing the amount of labor foam recycling may have taken in the past.

And third, the conversion of foam into new products is a simple process that reduces the need to harvest crude oil from the earth and all of the energy associated with the process required to make virgin resin. The end result is that we realize a reduction in greenhouse gasses and lessen our dependence on foreign oil. Reclaimers simply place the compacted material into a grinder, which feeds an extruder. The extruder is similar to a Play-Doh machine in that the ground material goes into the machine, melts, and comes out the other end like spaghetti.  The spaghetti is then cooled and chopped into small pieces (pellets). Once it is in the form of pellets, it then can be used to make useful new products.

Because of these reasons, efforts continue to be made to expand the capabilities to recycle foam. There are companies, like Dart Container, working to make foam recycling more accessible to more people. They have even created positions within their business solely focused on generating new foam recycling programs across the country.

And much progress has been made. In 2007, only one city in California participated in a curbside recycling program. Fast-forward to today, and you’ll find curbside Styrofoam recycling centers in over 65 California communities – when the population of these communities is added together, it is more than 20 percent of the state!

More and more residents are gaining additional foam recycling options. For instance, there are a number of drop-off locations and collection and shipping programs for those who use large amounts of foam like quick service restaurants, and college campuses. Even school districts are getting involved by collecting students’ foam lunch trays for recycling.

All of these programs demonstrate a growing trend of recycling programs that has resulted in reductions in landfills and a more sustainable environment for all of us. We encourage everyone to get involved in recycling foam. To find out where foam can be recycled near you, or to see if your neighborhood participates in a foam recycling program, check www.1800recycling.com, www.earth911.com or http://www.dart.biz/recycle to see if you’re living in, or near a community with a curbside recycling or foam drop-off program.


[1] Municipal Solid Waste in the United States 2008 Facts and Figures, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, November 2009

Donating Vehicles to Charity

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

Vehicles to Charity

What comes to mind when you hear ‘Vehicles to Charity’? Some might assume giving an entire vehicle away to a charity for free. While this is a good assumption, and the same many have when they first hear about such a process, it’s not necessarily true. Yes, people are giving their vehicles to a charity, but they are also writing off the amount on their taxes for deductions.

The process looks like this:

1. A donor elects to donate a vehicle for a charity of his or her choice through the organization Vehicles To Charity.

2. The donor must document the fair market price for the vehicle before donating the vehicle. Why? If the charity decides to keep the vehicle for running errands or other transportation needs, then the fair market price is what will be written off on taxes.

3. The charity of choice decides what they want to do with the vehicle. Either they sell it or keep it for transportation needs.

4. Likewise, if a charity sells the vehicle, then the selling price is what the donor can write off on taxes. The charity must provide documentation of the sale for a proper tax deduction.

5. The benefits are not just tax deductions—the charity receives substantial funds or use of the vehicle to further the work of the charity in the community. When you donate, you enable the charity to give back to the community in tremendous ways.

People are not only donating because of tax deductions, but because they are also skipping the hassle of selling the vehicle themselves. Let’s admit it, selling a vehicle can be a hassle and one we would like to avoid if possible. Donating a vehicle to a charity eliminates that hassle completely.

It’s all about empowering others to continue incredible work within the community just by offering what you have. When a vehicle is no longer in use, it’s best to offer it to people who can use it the most. Make a difference in the lives of people benefiting from the work of charities just by giving up a vehicle you no longer use.

For more information, please feel free to contact us

VehiclesToCharity.com
701 N Kelley Ave #52943
Oklahoma City, OK 73152
405-698-2714

Guest Blog Contributors needed!

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

Hello! The NEW Recycling for Charities blog is now re-open for business!

We are excited to continue the environmental recycling effort across the United States in 2013 and would like to engage the online community even more. We are looking for guest contributors to write posts on the blog here on Recycling for Charities. Topics that need to be written on are:

  • Recycling in General
  • Tips on Recycling
  • Integrating Recycling in your everyday life
  • Recycling News
  • Recycling Success stories
  • Fundraiser Ideas

Everyone is welcome to submit an idea for an article and if you are interested in being a guest blogger on RFC, then please email info@recyclingforcharities.com. Be sure to include your writing background, ideas and thoughts on recycling in general and the environmental effects that you would like to help educate people on.

We are very excited and open to hear your comments and suggestions!

Plastic Waste Forms Island of Garbage in Pacific Ocean

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

The Great Eastern Garbage Patch. Have you ever heard of it? Most haven’t. Located at a natural collecting point right in the center of revolving currents called the North Pacific Gyre, the Great Eastern Garbage Patch is a floating island of waste estimated to be twice the size of Texas. That’s right- TEXAS. Somehow this massive garbage heap had shied away from the media for years, but has now been brought to the public’s attention via Captain Charles Moore of the Oceanographic Research Vessel Alguita, who is credited for its discovery.

Thousands of miles from land this garbage patch is littered with debris that many would assume is from people aboard passing ships, but researchers think not. They estimated that 80 percent of the trash is actually due to land dwellers and has eventually found its way over the years to the North Pacific Gyre. This is nothing but bad news considering that there is even more trash riding the currents as you sit and read this now, destined to add to the island’s growth.

A 10 mile-wide fleet of plastic Taco Bell take-out bags.

80,000 Nike running shoes involved in a containership spill in 1990.

Discarded fishing nets and lines that run miles long.

“Nurdles”, or tiny plastic pellets that resemble tapioca and carry high concentrations of deadly chemicals, one hundred billion pounds of which are used each year to make things like CD cases and plastic pipes.
This is just some of what can be found on and near the Great Eastern Garbage Patch, but they all equal this: roughly one million pieces of plastic per square mile across hundreds of miles of the Pacific Ocean. Countless animals in and out of the water have confused these floating plastic objects as food or have gotten tangled or strangled in plastic lines and nets only to lose their lives. According to Marine Biologist David Barnes of the British Antarctic Survey, “Plastic is not just an aesthetic problem. It can actually change entire ecosystems.”

Right now we can only expect the trash to continue invading the ocean. There are bans in place to prevent the dumping of plastics but enforcement on the open ocean is not taken seriously and when accidents occur they do not need to be reported. This means people like Captain Moore, who are trying to stop plastic from taking over our ocean, don’t even have a chance to clean up the debris left by others, even if by accident.

What is ironic is that people value plastics for the same reason plastics are causing so much harm to our oceans: its durability. While manufacturers place the blame of plastic debris on consumers, Captain Moore makes a good point saying that, “there’s no reason why a six-pack ring or a peanut butter jar should have to last for 400 years.” While manufacturers have attempted to perfect biodegradable packaging there is only one company, EarthShell, which has made real progress. The company has already begun work with the National Park Service who uses their biodegradable plates and has even provided many McDonald’s restaurants with their clamshell boxes. The Environmental Cleanup Coalition has also made a huge impact by taking the initiative to collaborate with other organizations who try to come up with ways to safely remove plastic and other pollutants from the ocean.

Recycling for Charities is passionate about helping to eliminate waste in any way possible. While we are limited to recycling electronic waste we have tips to help consumers prevent the growth of this plastic-waste island too. You can buy products with less plastic packaging and therefore decrease your plastic waste. For example, instead of buying pop or soda that has a six-pack ring around them, buy the case in the cardboard box that can later be broken down and recycled. Also, you can practice and promote the proper disposal of plastic items. Recycle your plastic waste when possible and never litter, especially near places like the beach where wildlife can mistake your trash for food. If you do not have the means to donate money to an environmental organization you can always donate your time by helping with a local clean-up at a park or beach. Remember, your small effort can make a big difference.

Wrapping and Reusing

Monday, November 30th, 2009

As the holiday craziness sets in, there is no reason why we have to continue to add to the growing pile of shredded printed paper and crumpled ribbons and bows. Sometimes it takes a little extra time, a little creativity and an open mind. If you are looking for a few ideas on how to wrap your gifts in a green and reusable way, you are just in luck- we always have ideas don’t we?!

Create a reusable collection that you can use next year (and the next).

Start using reusable gift bags. They might cost more the first year, but just think of how great it would be to never have to buy wrapping paper again? On top of that, you never need scissors, tape or the knowledge and savvy it takes to tie those crazy curling ribbons. One company specializing in these reusable bags, luckycrow.com, offers whimsical prints that are chosen with re-purposing in mind. The Christmas prints can also be used for Valentines Day and the birthday bags are gender neutral and festive. The bags are fitted with a grosgrain ribbon for tying- these bags are pretty and practical.

(more…)

Follow RFC on Twitter Follow RFC on Facebook
Recycling for Charities Podcasts