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He and his friend Neil McQueen, an environmental consultant in Corpus Christi, have been trying to chase expanded polystyrene out of Texas, one business at a time, for years. Metzger is well versed in the dangers polystyrene poses to the environment.
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“As a result, if it gets crushed in with other recyclables, it can basically contaminate an entire truckful of recyclables.” “Residential recycling streams aren’t set out to handle polystyrene,” Metzger told me. For these reasons, and because it’s extraordinarily cheap to produce, the stuff is a fast-food purveyor’s dream.Īccording to Luke Metzger, who helms Austin-based advocacy nonprofit Environment Texas, throwing the cups in the recycling bin at home may do more harm than good. The pairing of the two in cup form is what keeps your coffee from burning blisters on your palm the material also keeps cold drinks cold for a long time, even in Texas heat. As Jaime Grunlan, a mechanical engineering professor at Texas A&M University, explained to me, polystyrene has bad thermal conductivity (meaning it doesn’t transfer heat well), and air has “horrible” thermal conductivity. In terms of cheap insulation, almost nothing is as effective as expanded polystyrene. (Polystyrene is commonly referred to as Styrofoam, a trademarked brand.) More specifically, the cups that keep your milkshake from melting between Whataburger’s drive-through window and your house are made from expanded polystyrene-basically, millions of tiny plastic bubbles.
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The six refers to the cup’s material, which is a hydrocarbon-derived polymer known as polystyrene.
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Unless, that is, you’re the inquisitive type who looks at the undercarriage of your medium Diet Coke or limited-edition Peaches & Cream milkshake and observes that the bottom of the cup is printed with a recycling symbol surrounding the numeral six. Dart is also working to boost recovery rates of all the products they manufacture and is widely recognized as the industry leader in creating and promoting recycling opportunities for EPS foam #6.On the side of every Whataburger cup is a phrase that sounds like it belongs on an emo teen’s Tumblr: “WHEN I AM EMPTY DISPOSE OF ME PROPERLY.” There are no further instructions. Their portfolio of products offers a variety materials with different environmental attributes, including bagasse (sugarcane), paper and plastic (PET 1, PP 5, EPS 6 and PS 6). The plastics manufacturer offers foam recycling drop-off centers for individuals, schools and local businesses.ĭart sets the Industry Standard of Excellence by safely and efficiently providing high-quality food and beverage packaging solutions and exceptionally reliable service to each and every one of their customers. What they accept: Food service foam products, packaging foam productsĪbout: Residents of Chicago, North Aurora, and surrounding areas are able to conveniently recycle their polystyrene foam products thanks to Dart Container Corporation. Location: 310 Evergreen Drive, North Aurora, IL 60542 What they accept: Clean food packaging, transportation packaging Location: 7575 Kostner Avenue, Chicago, IL 60652