Better Communities Built with Recycling

CROFTON, Md., March 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The EPS Industry Alliance (EPS‐IA) has awarded the annual Excellence in EPS Recycling Award to ReFoamIt, a company that organizes foam recycling collections. The award is presented to companies that display an extraordinary commitment to the advancement of expanded polystyrene (EPS) recycling.

ReFoamIt was started in 2009 by David and Barbara Sherman in Framingham, Massachusetts. Originally started as an EPS recycling advocacy group, they began collecting foam part-time to be transported to a recycling plant out of state. During their first collection event they collected about 20 cubic yards of foam packaging. ReFoamIt soon expanded their operation with new employees and essential equipment such as trucks and collection trailers. Most notably, they acquired a densifier, which allowed them to streamline their operation and collect more foam. In 2013 they densified approximately 65 tons of EPS foam.

Today, ReFoamIt is a full-time business that organized over 60 foam recycling collection events for 12% of Massachusetts municipalities in 2013. Each event collects between 30 and 40 cubic yards of scrap foam. They work with local governments, community organizations, hospitals and local businesses to organize collections and spread the message that EPS is a fully recyclable material.

Several other nominees received honorable mentions for their contributions to EPS recycling. NOVA Chemicals and the Pennsylvania Resource Council were acknowledged for their EPS recycling collection events across Pennsylvania, which were responsible for collecting three 26' trucks full of foam for recycling. The City of Houston, which recently instituted the first EPS recycling program of its kind in the region, received mention for fulfilling the requests of its citizens for a local recycling solution. Houston now recycles 2,000 lbs. of EPS per month. Nine Lives Products was recognized for their innovative Glu6 product, which uses natural processes to recycle EPS in to various types of glue.

This winner of this year's award was chosen by judges from several fields related to recycling and sustainability: Nina Goodrich, Executive Director of GreenBlue, Brenda Pulley, Senior VP of Recycling at Keep America Beautiful, Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor of Packaging Digest and Patty Moore, President & CEO of Moore Recycling Associates, Inc.

The Excellence in EPS Recycling Award was created to acknowledge companies, programs and organizations that go above and beyond in their efforts to promote and improve EPS recycling. The EPS Industry Alliance believes this recognition serves to highlight exemplary members of the EPS recycling industry who serve as exceptional examples and further promote EPS as a versatile and sustainable material.

For any question please contact Diana Gentilcore, Managing Director for Advocacy at the EPS Industry Alliance at 800‐607‐3772 or [email protected].

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SOURCE EPS Industry Alliance