Drop off those bulky Styrofoam blocks for recycling between Dec. 23 and Jan. 9 in the Federal Way City Hall parking lot at 33325 Eighth Ave. S. This annual event provides free and convenient drop-off during the holidays when the greatest amount of material is generated.
Only clean white Styrofoam blocks and bagged packing peanuts are accepted for recycling. Material must be clean, dry and have all tape/labels removed. Styrofoam cups, food trays, ice chests, hot tub covers, foam sheeting or other plastics are not accepted. To tell if your material is Styrofoam, look for the EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) or No. 6 marking. Also, you can bend the material to see if it snaps and releases loose beads.
Each year, over half a million cubic yards of expanded polystyrene is disposed of in the King County landfill. This includes things like foam blocks, packing peanuts, take-out containers, cups, plates, meat trays, egg cartons and foam sheeting. While there is a wide variety of expanded polystyrene, local companies are only able to recycle certain types.
They heat and compress it to 1/90th original size, then ship this material to manufactures to be made into plastic products such as picture frames, CD cases and computer cases.
There are three recyclers near Federal Way that accept material year-round:
• R & D Recycling, 7214 26th St. E., #C101, Fife, 253-241-1904, www.rndrecycling.com
• Styro Recycle, 800 SW 43rd St., Renton, 253-838-9555, www.styrorecycle.com
• Tacoma Landfill Recycling, 3510 S. Mullen St., Tacoma, 253-591-5543.
For more recycling information, visit www.cityoffederalway.com/recycling or contact Jeanette Brizendine-Jurgensen, recycling project manager, at 253-835-2771 or recycle@cityoffederalway.com.
