The food service industry used polystyrene (PS) in a variety of applications. A food service packaging manufacturer in Michigan, named Dart Container, has launched the Next Life Take Back Program, for customers to recycle their food packaging. Food containers like Food trays, food cartons, and cups are made from different kinds of materials, mainly polystyrene and other plastics. Polystyrene recycling can benefit both customers and manufacturers.



Food trays, cartons, and cups are common food packaging close to our daily life. After finishing the food, people usually have no idea about how to deal with the packaging. A study by the Environmental Protection Agency found that polystyrene products are the fifth largest source of hazardous waste in the United States. The polystyrene food trays are hard to degrade in nature, causing long-term damage to the soil and even our living condition. To support garbage reduction and boost access to recycling, the manufacturer launched a program to recycle Dart products’ packaging.



To recycle polystyrene materials, the recycling machine is always put into use, which can make the process of recycling easier. Take polystyrene densifier as an example, the densifier works by compressing and heating the polystyrene waste into ingots that can be reused into new products. People can first put polystyrene into the densifier’s container. The crushed polystyrene then will be melted down under a high temperature, after which it will become ingots. As the picture shows, the ingots are much smaller than the virgin materials, saving space to restore and costs to transport.



For customers who are passionate about recycling but have no way to treat the waste, programs like this one offer great opportunities to reduce residents’ litter and achieve a circular economy. Polystyrene recycling now calls for everyone’s attention. INTCO stayed committed to sustainable development, sincerely hoping our readers can also take part in the recycling initiative, for our own home, and for our Earth family, too.