Three Designated Landfills Now Accept Foam Waste

The City of Calgary recently announced that residents can now drop off polystyrene foam waste for free at three designated landfills. This six-month pilot program, operated by the city’s Waste and Recycling Services, responds to long-standing public demand for improved recycling options.

“Calgarians have been asking for a foam packaging recycling system like those in neighboring cities,” said Project Manager Elias Tomaras. “Their enthusiasm for proper sorting will help extend the lifespan of our landfills.”

Specialized Equipment Enhances Processing Efficiency

The recycling center uses professional compaction equipment to handle polystyrene waste. The city stated that all the recycled foam can be melted and reused to manufacture new products such as cabinets, bicycle helmets, tiles, frames and other plastic molds. As for how to pre-treat these foams, we recommend QINFENG’s polystyrene compactor here. This equipment helps to melt and reduce the volume of polystyrene foam.

The QinFeng CF-HM400EPS hot melt compactor significantly reduces the volume of foam materials through two processes: crushing and compression. It first breaks down the waste into uniform fragments and then compresses them into high-density blocks, with a compression ratio of up to 50:1 to 90:1. It can handle various types of foam materials, including common EPS, XPS, EPE, and EPP, greatly enhancing transportation and recycling efficiency.

In addition, Qin Feng not only provides professional recycling equipment, but also customizes overall solutions for customers and assists in connecting sales channels for compacted ingots.

Closed-Loop Recycling Creates Environmental Value

The city stated that all collected foam will be reprocessed into new products such as cabinets, bicycle helmets, and flooring tiles. “Polystyrene must be separated from other recyclables,” officials emphasized. “Mixed disposal can render entire batches unusable for recycling.”

The program not only enhances Calgary’s waste processing capacity but also provides a professional recycling channel for surrounding areas. As the initiative progresses, it is expected to divert hundreds of tons of foam waste from landfills annually, contributing to the city’s sustainable development.

For businesses or organizations interested in foam recycling, Qinfeng offers end-to-end services—from equipment selection to sales channel support—helping build efficient recycling systems.