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Reusing Styrofoam


Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 228 Posts
July 2, 2010

Styrofoam StarsMake Styrofoam plates into cute hanging stars after rinsing and letting dry (or brushing off crumbs). I used a stencil of a star for my patterns and cut these out using craft scissors. They are strung on regular sewing thread with a few beads at the top.

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This is the result of only 2 plates!

By melody_yesterday from Otterville, MO

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18 More Solutions

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June 2, 2009

When planting hanging baskets, put Styrofoam peanuts in the bottom instead of stones. The plants do not stand in water and the baskets will not be so heavy.

 
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Silver Post Medal for All Time! 398 Posts
August 15, 2011

When assembling an item that comes with squares of hardware such as bookcases, you can put the nails and other hardware in the Styrofoam to keep them from rolling around.

Block of Styrofoam with nails and screws pushed partway into it

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December 14, 2009

I've been doing a lot of crafting making small felt and cloth toys. They measure about 2 - 4 inches. With so many little pieces, I needed some way to keep track of everything.

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I'd been keeping foam meat trays (bleached and washed), trying to find a use.

 
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March 22, 2005

When filling huge flowerpots, reduce the weight and the amount of soil you need by filling the bottom with recycled Styrofoam peanuts or even chunks of Styrofoam. I get pieces when I need them from the dumpster behind a furniture and accessories store.

 
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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 523 Posts
June 5, 2013

Perlite is exellent for amending soil used for container grown plants and for starting seedlings in a soil or soiless medium. It insures better drainage and aeration which results in a larger, healthier root system.

Styrofoam as Perlite Substitute

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November 11, 2009

I cut out the logos from the Styrofoam cups and cover them with see through plastic. I then glue them to a sheet (e.g.) a poem I made up and give as gifts. Or use as a scrapbook page.

 
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June 20, 2006

From Styrofoam blocks taken from a new TV box, I created 4 different organizers and a wall flower display with dried or artificial flowers...

 
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May 20, 2004

Planting large flower pots. Use styrofoam to fill the pots half way. This provides good drainage and makes it easier to move the pots.

 
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December 5, 2018

Styrofoam pieces, often found in gift packaging, can be used to store items such as extension cords, Christmas tree lights and the like. This keeps styrofoam out of the landfill and provides extra storage at the same time.

Using recycled styrofoam to wrap a cord.


Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 690 Feedbacks
May 14, 2008

Styrofoam! I re-use all I can. When drying starched items (ie: ornaments), I cover a strip of styrofoam with plastic wrap, stretch to form and pin to place.

 
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June 27, 2011

Styrofoam meat trays or plates make great bases for children's drawings or decoupage projects.

Recycled meat tray with child's art

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Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

August 12, 2004

Does anyone know of what can be done with large pieces of styrofoam like computers and stereos are packed in? I have a bunch and don't want to just send it to the landfill. (Originally published 2000-07-28)



Marianne

Answers

December 1, 20000 found this helpful

If there is a mailing service in your area they usually will take and reuse styrofoam from packing boxes, also the styrofoam peanuts, and plastic bubble wrap. I've been doing this for years and am glad that I am not contributing to the land fill.

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Dee

 
December 1, 20000 found this helpful

I give these to my 2 little boys ages 2 and 4 to hammer golf tees into; older kids could possibly hammer nails. The material does not fall apart and actually closes up when the pegs are pulled out.

Kathy

 

Diamond Feedback Medal for All Time! 1,023 Feedbacks
August 12, 20040 found this helpful

I use 'polystyrene' to make mirror frames. I cut it with a craft knife into the shape I want, then cut out a hole in the middle. I use old broken mirror that I cut into shape with a glass cutter (use gloves and goggles) and tape to the back with wide masking tape. Use an old paper-clip for a hanging hook, just bend to shape and push in.

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Then I use paper mache to cover the entire thing. Leave to dry then paint and add your own decoration as desired.

I make these to my own designs and I've sold two which the lady took to the Middle-East for presents for relatives. Especially good as they are sturdy (due to the paper mache) yet light (the polystyrene.)

By chickybiker

 
By Chenell (Guest Post)
August 12, 20040 found this helpful

If you have little ones underfoot, there is no limit to the rainy-day, crafty fun styrofoam can provide. My son and I made a castle, a rocket, a schoolbus.... For the castle, cut each "tower" out of the weird, thin long pieces (Big 'ole kitchen sciccors should work), and attach them to the main "building" (the biggest, boxiest piece) with toothpicks and glue.

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(hot glue melts the styrofoam, so stick to Elmer's). You can paint it with Tempera paint. (many other paints will also melt the styrofoam, but tempera works very well).
Experiment and have fun...then give the creations to family members as gifts. We do it all the time, and everyone loves watching his "sculptures" evolve as he gets older!
Have fun!

 
By Tawnda (Guest Post)
August 12, 20040 found this helpful

I do a lot of shipping to my family out of state and I save them and use them myself for shipping. It never fails that I have a box with an indented top that I need "filler" that doesn't weigh much and the styrofoam comes in handy. I also save bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and that foamy wrap that comes on items to save for the same purpose.

 
By Linda (Guest Post)
August 13, 20040 found this helpful

One kind of this styro packing material crumples up into little balls of foam, suitable for filling bean bags. I make the bean bag out of scrap fabric or old clothing (pant leg or shirt sleeve is great) and put a chunk of the stryo material inside, then sew it up closed.

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I then let the kids break it up, inside the bag, into pieces. They love to do it, too.

 
By Stephanie Green (Guest Post)
September 12, 20040 found this helpful

Yes, I am recycling styrofoam panels and blocks everyday. I am developing new panels and blocks for construction and craft projects. For more information please email your request.

 
By BECKY (Guest Post)
November 1, 20040 found this helpful

I work for a major sign company. I am trying to find someone who recycles large quantities of styrofoam. If anyone out there has any info on recyclers of styrofoam please e-mail me any info you might have to: becky@signbuilders.com
thanks

 

Diamond Feedback Medal for All Time! 1,023 Feedbacks
November 1, 20040 found this helpful

Here are a few links. A lot of places will recycle styrofoam peanuts but it is more difficult to find somewhere that will recycle the large pieces. I would check with the disposal company or county waste division about what to do with the styrofoam and if there is anywhere that takes it for recycling. You don't mention where the company is located so I can't really help more.

www.oregonlink.com/.../plastic_peanuts.html

www.plasticsusa.com/.../945.html

greenyes.grrn.org/.../msg00035.html

Susan at ThriftyFun

 
By chris21 (Guest Post)
July 18, 20060 found this helpful

how much styrofoam peanuts do i use to make a bean bag chair?

 
December 31, 20060 found this helpful

For most of the country, it may be too long a drive to be worth the bother, but... There is a company in Tucson, AZ called Mikey Block that recycles clean styrofoam and turns it into building materials. They gladly accept whatever you drop off.

 
By Gil Tampoa (Guest Post)
October 3, 20070 found this helpful

I find the Stephanie Green's suggestion in using Styrofoam for construction panels and building blocks.
Will gladly bring the stuff to you but, it will cost a lot being located in the Asian continent. If I may, would you share your recycling technology for this purpose?

Thanks.
Gil Tampoa
Green Earth Advocate

 
By Mark (Guest Post)
October 9, 20070 found this helpful

Can Styrofoam be ground up and used as attic insulation? I'm wondering if this is a safe practice with the heat generated in an attic in the summer-time. I'm talking about the rigid panels that come as form-fitted packaging. Right now, I just break it into small pieces. If there is a machine available to grind them into pea-sized particles, it would be even better.

 
By teacher (Guest Post)
January 18, 20081 found this helpful

I am an art teacher. I have the students use them to make styrofoam stamps instead of rubber stamps. Our cafeteria uses styrofoam trays. When I saw how much trash it was creating, I decided to use them for stamps. They are making designs or monograms with pencils and rolling tempera over it. They have a stamp that is personalized and they want to keep it instead of throwing into the landfills! :)

 
By Rod (Guest Post)
February 4, 20083 found this helpful

"let the kids play with it" seems to be the consensus here. As far as I can see, that's not much of a solution, as it transfers a box or pile of barely manageable size to ten thousand little bits scattered over the landscape. It makes "your" problem "everybody's" problem, and somehow that puts your conscience at rest?

If you have lots of time and an unlimited electrical budget, try baking it in an aluminum pan at 400 degrees or so for half an hour. It reduces the volume considerably, so at least you don't fill up the landfill quite so quick.

 
By manulind (Guest Post)
July 2, 20080 found this helpful

If you have the right tools, there are a lot of things you can do with Styrofoam...crafts, insulation, etc.

Here is a company that sells a variety of foam cutters:

http://www.foamcuttingtools.com

Cheers!

 
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April 16, 2018

I have 4 of these Sytrofoam blocks (11.4"x11.4"x7") from a shelving unit and nothing that needs to be stuck into them (i.e. screws, etc) and they are solid. What can I do with them that is either creative (I do have access to very sharp cutting instruments) or useful? I don't have kids and live in Greenville, SC and don't know of any recycling places for them. Any ideas? I only have one day to figure it out (don't ask).


Thanks!

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
April 17, 20180 found this helpful
Best Answer

Your one day may be over?

  • I like using these for "legs/stands" under a board or rack where I need a quick (maybe temporary) shelf on a counter or ?
  • I have seen photos tacked to blocks this size and stacked on top of each (at an angle).
  • I would be more prone to using them for packing or for partial filling a large pot so it would not be so heavy and would drain well.
 
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August 1, 2011

Are there any fun or useful suggestions, tips, or samples of items made from Styrofoam trays that meat from the supermarket comes on? Thanks for the consideration and time.

By Dianne

Answers


Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 290 Feedbacks
August 1, 20110 found this helpful

I wouldn't use any of the packaging from meat, because of lingering bacteria or odors. I only save the styrofoam trays from vegetables.

 
August 3, 20110 found this helpful

Yes, one of my favorite crafts projects was to get different colored styrofoam trays and get a paper punch that punches holes in paper and punch as many holes in the styrofoam as you can. Then get a needle and thread or clear fishing line and thread the little circles on the thread.

It comes out looking like a very expensive "stone" necklace or bracelet in either turquoise or coral or obsidian depending on the color of styrofoam. White looks like the popular puka shell necklaces. Makes great earrings too! Mix the colors for more interesting combinations. Wish I had a picture but you get the idea.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 104 Posts
August 3, 20110 found this helpful

I only use the white meat trays that are fairly clean to begin with--it's impossible to have no meat juices on them, so I wash well w/ soap and hot water.

Then my grandkids and I use them for home-made shrinky dink material. I usually end up experimenting w/ size of item to be "shrunk" and oven temp. before we get it just right. But that's part of the magic. And some trays work better than others.

Here's a photo of a charm that's just out of the oven. Sides need to be smoothed and clasp fitted on back to become a necklace. Button for size perspective.

 
 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 104 Posts
August 3, 20110 found this helpful

To Arentwetho,
Neat idea. My grandsons are into friendship bracelets right now and your idea would be great. We use the stretchy cord so they are easy to get on and off the wrist. I bet the punching process is part of the fun.
radioflyer (aka ~gloria)

 
August 3, 20110 found this helpful

I use meat trays but I wash and dry them thoroughly and put them in the sun for no less than tree days. My grandma used the sun to erase yellow stains on fabric and to "sterilize" underwear so I figure It will help with whatever bacteria is still there.

 
August 3, 20110 found this helpful

I found this the other day and thought it was awesome. Looks like something I would see in a boutique somewhere.

www.creativejewishmom.com/.../paper-mache-covered-styrofoam-trays...

 
August 3, 20110 found this helpful

I use the trays to hold all the elements of whatever project I am working on at the time - papers, glue, scissors, embellishments, etc. I can stack the trays for the different projects (never able to do just one thing at a time) and have everything on hand when I grab a tray and sit down to work on the project.

 
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April 1, 2012

The hospital I work for throws a lot of Styrofoam coolers away. I hate that; what can I use them for? I now plant my outdoor plants in them, but what else?

By Lisa

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Photos

Check out these photos.


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 969 Posts
December 1, 2010

In trying to keep the landfill free of styrofoam, I clean and reuse mine for a lot of things. I use styrofoam under planters, as trays for under craft projects (like those using glitter), etc.

 
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September 20, 2018

This manmade material lasts forever. There are a number of ways to use these containers for crafts and even making furniture. This is a page about uses for small styrofoam ice chests.

Styrofoam Ice Chest

April 30, 2016

This is a page about uses for Styrofoam meat trays. Reusing Styrofoam packaging helps keep it out of the landfill. There are a variety of uses for the trays used for packing meat.

Black styrofoam meat tray against a white background

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