The Basics of Foam Recycling
The process to recycle foam is similar to that of other recyclables. In the case of foam products, a special compactor – called a “densifier” – may be used in the processing of the material. Why? Foam products are over 90% air, so densifying it allows the material to be sold and transported more cost-effectively. To give you an example, a 48-foot truckload of baled foam polystyrene weighs only around 16,000 pounds, whereas a truckload of densified foam polystyrene weighs 40,000 pounds.
Here’s a brief overview of the process to recycle foam: