For the eighth year, the Foam Recycling Coalition opened its grant process seeking applicants looking to start or strengthen a post-consumer foam polystyrene recycling program. The coalition, part of the Foodservice Packaging Institute, leads this initiative helping to fund infrastructure for the collection, processing and marketing of products made from foam polystyrene.
“By offering this grant, we are helping to expand the recycling of a material instead of it going to the landfill. Foam polystyrene can be recycled into products like crown molding and picture frames. However, certain equipment may be needed to recycle foam cost-effectively,” said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute. “The Foam Recycling Coalition utilizes partnerships and investments to help communities and recycling businesses in the U.S. and Canada purchase that equipment to expand their programs and include foam polystyrene.”
Foam polystyrene products include foodservice packaging (i.e., cups, plates, bowls, clamshells and cafeteria trays) and other types of packaging (i.e., egg cartons, meat trays and protective packaging used when shipping electronics and other fragile items).
Both public and private organizations involved in managing residential drop-off and curbside recycling programs or material recovery facilities are eligible to apply for funding of up to $50,000 for each grant. Grant amounts are determined on a case-by-case basis dependent upon equipment needs. Although no cash match is required, additional costs may be incurred by the grantee for related items, such as site preparation, provision of conveying system, electrical infrastructure, freight and other installation costs.
The grant program is made possible through contributions to the Foam Recycling Coalition, which focuses exclusively on increased recycling of post-consumer foam polystyrene. Its members include Americas Styrenics; Chick-fil-A; CKF Inc.; Dart Container Corp.; Dyne-A-Pak; Genpak; INEOS Styrolution America LLC; Pactiv Evergreen; and Republic Plastics.
Since 2015, the Foam Recycling Coalition has awarded 23 grants totaling over $850,000. As a result, over 6 million additional residents in the U.S. and Canada can recycle foam. A list of past grantees and a link to download the grant application can be found at https://www.recyclefoam.org/grants.
Applications must be submitted by Friday, April 29, 2022, for priority consideration. The Foam Recycling Coalition will announce grant recipients throughout the year.