March/April Bean for Bag Spotlight: StyroCyclers
Learn more about one of our Bean for Bag recipients and please drop those beans in their jar.
The volunteer Port Townsend StyroCyclers group, a Local 20/20 Beyond Waste Project, recycles expanded polystyrene, commonly known as styrofoam, from East Jefferson County residents and businesses. They also collect packing peanuts for reuse by selected small local businesses.
Because of the huge volume processed by their Kent-based recycler, the StyroCyclers can only accept styrofoam pieces that are white, rigid, clean, and dry, with all tape, labels, paper, or cardboard removed. They accept styrofoam food trays that are white, clean, and unstained. Their recycler will not accept any hot tub pieces whatsoever. Packing peanuts are accepted if they are divided into biodegradable and non-biodegradable types.
Thanks to the Fort Worden PDA, the styrofoam is packed and stored at the Fort Worden Battery Putnam, then delivered to Kent once per month thanks to OlyCAP and Northwest Harvest (53-foot tractor trailer) food bank trucks. At the Kent facility, a densifier machine uses heat to convert the styrofoam into a toothpaste-like consistency of polystyrene that cools into heavy blocks, which are then sold to manufacturers of molded products such as picture frames, construction details, and surfboard blanks. The densified product is in high demand because it is less expensive than virgin plastic.
The StyroCyclers usually accept materials on the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Saturday each month, 10:00 to noon, at the Fort Worden Battery Putnam, which is very close to Alexander’s Castle (229 Alexander’s Loop). Additional collections (e.g., Port Ludlow) and schedule changes are announced via their Facebook page and on services such as Next Door and bareboards.
Since October 2021, the StyroCyclers have collected over 5 tons of styrofoam (700-900 pounds/month) from East Jefferson County residents and businesses. However, they are just the latest version of decades styrofoam recycling in our environment-conscience community, previously led by Christopher Overman and others.
For questions please reach out to them using PTStyroCyclers@gmail.com or through their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/PortTownsendStyrofoam/
