How Do You Recycle Styrofoam Lunch Trays?
Styrofoam, or expanded polystyrene, food trays are among the more difficult materials to recycle, as they cannot be set out with curbside recycling in most cities and are not accepted by most recyclers, according to food service packaging manufacturer GenPak. Wax and other sealants on the trays, food contamination, a low weight-to-volume ratio and its low value as a commodity makes the trays and other food-service polystyrene unpopular with recyclers according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the American Chemistry Council. Styrofoam lunch trays, used in their thousands every day, can be removed from the waste stream by consumers willing to make the effort to recycle them. Turn your tray over and check for the arrowed triangular recycling symbol. A symbol with a “6” in the center indicates expanded polystyrene plastic, or Styrofoam. Clean your tray after use. Food, condiments and other residue can contaminate the pool of recycled materials. According to Dart Container, a
