We accept clean EPS foam for recycling at our location in Allentown. Now we are continuing to find ways to spread the word online, that YES, EPS is in fact recyclable. We have started to partner with local colleges to increase awareness. Unfortunately, the white stuff is taking a beating in the news with another big misconception that EPS is ‘non-recyclable.’ But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Here at ICA, we are on a mission to change the perception regarding the ability to recycle EPS. Oh, did we forget to mention EPS is more cost effective than XPS too?! EPS is environmentally friendly and available in various shapes, sizes and densities. While both are polystyrene products and are used for some similar applications, that is where the similarity stops. Our standard block size is 36″ x 48″ x 96″ but the maximum block size we can make is 54″ x 49-1/2″ x 220″. Instead of being restrained to particular sizes, our EPS foam can be cut to any thickness, length or width. While the blue Styrofoam™ and pink Owens Corning have color dyes that can leach into the environment, EPS foam is composed of organic elements – carbon, hydrogen and oxygen – and does not contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Penn DOT road projects) are actually GEOFOAM blocks and are made out of EPS foam. So while you may be tempted to call them “large Styrofoam blocks,” the large white blocks used in civil engineering (i.e. EPS can be shape-molded or molded into block form and cut into various shapes. The applications of EPS are literally endless and can range from a drinking cup to packaging to helmets, theater props and signage to a massive GEOFOAM retaining wall. EPS is an expanded polystyrene available in various densities for insulation, construction and craft applications and so much more. As we said, Styrofoam™ is a Dow trade, blue in color, and is an extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam made for thermal insulation, construction and craft applications. Now, you certainly could continue on in life calling all foam products Styrofoam, the world will not stop spinning but if you ever get caught in a good game of Trivial Pursuit, we will have the correct answers for you! Differences Between Styrofoam™ and EPS Oh my gosh, that would be so wrong, wouldn’t it?! Even those of us in the industry may catch ourselves calling that white little coffee cup a “styrofoam” cup.īut calling all foam products Styrofoam™ is like calling all wine a Chardonnay. To start, we are not exactly sure how this misconception began – perhaps in some marketing department somewhere and we have to say they have done a very good job. But these two products could not be more different. No, we are not kidding, it is blue in color! Don’t feel alone in this misconception, it is very common. Styrofoam™ is a Dow trade name and is actually blue in color. The white stuff most everyone refers to as “Styrofoam” is actually EPS, expanded polystyrene.

Nothing about STYROFOAM™ is EPS! Learn the difference between STYROFOAM™ and EPS. Large Styrofoam Blocks – But are they really EPS?