On March 14, 2025, the Town of Avon in Colorado, USA, officially launched its first expanded polystyrene (EPS) recycling program. The project accepts clean foam packaging materials from appliances and electronics, as well as foam coolers, helping to significantly reduce the amount of foam waste in Eagle County’s landfill.

This foam recycling initiative is funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and supported through the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity (RREO) grant program. At the heart of the system is a Styrofoam densifier, which compresses loose foam into high-density material, enabling the sustainable recycling and reuse of Styrofoam.

Is Styrofoam recyclable?

The answer is yes — but the key lies in using the right processing equipment.

Although Styrofoam has traditionally been viewed as difficult to recycle, advancements in recycling technology — particularly the widespread use of Styrofoam densifier — are steadily changing that perception. The recycling system in the Town of Avon serves as a prime example. With the help of efficient machinery, collected foam waste is transformed into recycled products such as picture frames and building insulation materials, contributing to the growth of a circular economy.

Why use a Styrofoam densifier?

Styrofoam is bulky and lightweight, making it inefficient and costly to transport or store in its original form. It also presents fire safety risks. GREENMAX Styrofoam melting machine utilizes thermal densification technology to compress foam at high temperatures, reducing its volume by up to 90:1. This dramatically improves logistics and lowers operational costs.

Compared to traditional cold-press compactors or hydraulic-press compactors, the foam ingots produced by the GREENMAX Styrofoam densifier are denser and more uniform, making them more attractive to downstream recyclers. This enhances transport efficiency and reduces expenses.

Moreover, hot-melt ingots typically achieve a density of 600–800 kg/m³, significantly higher than the 100–300 kg/m³ range of cold-pressed materials. This higher density leads to better performance during the pelletizing process, as cold-pressed foam often fails to meet the throughput potential of standard pelletizing machines.

GREENMAX: Providing Expert Solutions to the Question “Is Styrofoam Recyclable?”

As a global leader in foam recycling equipment, GREENMAX offers a wide range of Styrofoam densifier and foam pelletizing machines, along with fully customized, one-stop foam recycling solutions tailored to customer needs. Our engineering team works closely with clients to understand detailed requirements such as foam type, moisture level, dimensions, and daily processing volume—ensuring each solution is efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.

In addition, GREENMAX operates a worldwide network of local agents, providing responsive technical support and on-site after-sales service to ensure the smooth implementation of your recycling system.

Foam Recycling: A Step Toward a Greener ESG Profile

As sustainability and environmental policies gain momentum globally, more and more businesses are turning to mechanical recycling methods—such as using a Styrofoam densifier—to improve their ESG performance. If you are looking for a reliable, economical, and eco-friendly foam recycling solution, GREENMAX is your trusted partner.