from staff reports
QUITMAN — Clarke County is now home to the first foam recycling facility in the state.
Dart Container Company of Mississippi the foam collection site in Quitman Thursday. As one of a growing number of regions to be equipped with foam recycling infrastructure, the free drop-off facility will allow Mississippi residents, businesses and organizations to recycle foam with the number 6 on it.
This is the state’s first public site to accept foam food service containers, including foam cups, plates, take-out containers, egg cartons, as well as shaped or molded foam often used to package electronics. This effort will divert foam from area landfills and allow it to be recycled into new products such as picture frames and moldings.
Once foam is dropped off at the facility, it is then compacted and shipped to a company that will use it as feedstock to make new materials. To be accepted for recycling, the foam must bear the “6” symbol with chasing arrows.
Dart Corporation held a ribbon-cutting Thursday outside of the new drop off facility, located at 197 Harris Avenue in Quitman. In attendance was State Rep. Sherra H. Lane, Southern Regional Rep. Morgan P. Shands of Sen. Roger Wicker’s office, and Harry Gibbs of Mississippi Development Authority representing Gov. Haley Barbour.
Officials with Dart said the company is driving recycling efforts from its manufacturing facilities to workplaces, warehouse recycling centers and consumers’ homes in curbside recycling efforts across the country. Often improperly called “Styrofoam,” a registered trademark of the Dow Chemical Company, Dart’s products are recyclable and reusable. Recycled foam food service products can be reprocessed into building insulation, plastic lumber, and many other products. For more information, visit www.dart.biz or call (800)248-5960.
Foam Recycling
Guidlines
• Rinse cups and containers to rid them of food.
• Place foam in a clear plastic bag.
• No straws or lids.
• No foam insulation
• No packaging peanuts (call 800-828-2214 or go to www.loosefillpackaging.com for sites).
• Only foam products bearing the "6" symbol with chasing arrows can be recycled at the new facility.
