The PA Resources Council has honored NOVA Chemicals by presenting an “Innovative Recycling” award in recognition of an extremely successful campaign to recycle expandable polystyrene (EPS) – an effort that enabled hundreds of area households to properly recycle EPS free of charge by attending PRC collection events.

“NOVA Chemicals’ partnership with PRC has created a convenient collection method at a variety of locations,” explained PRC Western Regional Director Dave Mazza before presenting the award to John Thayer of NOVA Chemicals.  “Since Spring 2013, five PRC events held throughout western Pennsylvania enabled hundreds of residents to drop off unwanted EPS foam for recycling and resulted in the collection and recycling of nearly three 26-foot box trucks of foam packaging material.”

The hard, white molded packaging material is often used to protect consumer electronics and household appliances during shipping.  Polystyrene material collected at PRC events is recycled and made into a variety of products including clothes hangers, insulation, decorative moldings and picture frames.

According to John Thayer, Director of Performance Styrenics at NOVA Chemicals, “Last year, NOVA Chemicals introduced an extremely successful program for its employees to recycle polystyrene.  Partnering with PRC and Appliance Warehouse now allows NOVA Chemicals to expand the opportunities for recycling EPS by reaching out to members of the community and establishing a convenient method at a variety of locations that keeps EPS out of landfills.”

In addition to establishing the EPS recycling events, NOVA Chemicals continues to support EPS recycling by collecting EPS coffee cups and packaging for recycling at all of its U.S. locations.  In 2013, NOVA Chemicals launched a 25 percent recycled content EPS resin product, R625B, which is used in packaging applications.

Click Here for background on the other 2013 Environmental Leadership Award winners from the PA Resources Council.

12/2/2013