Why can't Styrofoam be recycled in NYC?

Just received a $25 ticket for putting some plastic foam packaging from Amazon into the recycling collection (funnily labeled ‘amazon frustration free packaging’). The material had clear indication that it is recyclable, such as the circle logo and indication of PE type.

I was wondering – a huge amount of packaging is made out of inflatable plastic bags and Styrofoam or other plastic foam. All of which is not allowed to be put into recycling collection.
This must have something to do with how recycling trash is processed here. Any ideas?

Augustiner

in General Discussion 9 years and 2 months ago

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MDR | 9 years and 2 months ago

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It’s frustrating that styrofoam is being used more and more in grocery stores for packaging vegetables and fruit in small quantities.

eileengray | 9 years and 2 months ago

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Being labeled recyclable and being profitable are different. The aftermarket for styrofoam is virtually non-existent. The way to solve the styrofoam problem is to have a steep tax on the front end so manufacturers stop using it. Or if they don’t stop, at least, there is money at the back end to subsidize its reuse into rugs/etc.

Augustiner | 9 years and 2 months ago

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Yes styrofoam is terrible for the environment.
But it is a 100% recyclable product

And because it is recyclable it should be recycled, which in NYC it is not.

utoeid | 9 years and 2 months ago

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Styrofoam has a 10,000 year half life and is also composed in part of toxic materials. It is not a recyclable item.

slopefarm | 9 years and 2 months ago

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What gets recycled depends upon the municipality’s contract with whoever is going to sort, take and use/resell the recycled materials. I don’t know the City’s recycling contracts, but I imagine it got a better deal from a recycling contractor that had no use for the styrofoam. I think most of the current recycling contracts date to Bloomie’s first or second term., but I am not sure. perhaps when the contracts are up, there will be a bidder who will want the styrofoam and can make it worth the city;s while.

Arkady | 9 years and 2 months ago

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You can deflate the bags & put them w/ other plastic bag recycling at supermarkets. Styrofoam just isn’t doable in NYC.

Augustiner | 9 years and 2 months ago

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it is a recyclable material.
Maybe it has to do with the combined collection with other materials.

daveinbedstuy | 9 years and 2 months ago

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Not just NYC. Not recyclable in other places I have experience with.