Collection of plastic 'peanuts' in Sodus

A collection center for plastic loose-fill, the puffs of plastic foam used as packing material, has been opened at the Heluva Good Country Store in Sodus.

Residents are encouraged to deposit clean, good-as-new foam loose-fill, like peanuts, figure 8's, cup-shaped discs and other geometric forms, at participating collection locations, rather than putting them in their trash.

According to the Heluva Good Country Store spokesperson Laurie McFaul, consumers may call 1.800.828.2214 for collection center locations and request free educational literature to learn more about loose-fill and reuse and recycling

Because there may be times when the storage for 'peanuts' is full, McFaul suggests phoning The Collection Center prior to dropping off the loose-fill. Collection Centers will reuse the packaging materials. Any surplus loose-fill will be picked up by a loose-fill converter or manufacturer for reuse and recycling.

'We will assume responsibility for storing the loose-fill and preventing it from being scattered as litter,' said McFaul.

McFaul explained that the plastic loose-fill, properly called expanded polystyrene or EPS, is one of the most cost-efficient packaging materials available. Providing better protection for fragile items, it's lightweight, easy to work with, and keeps handling costs down.

Many consumers object to plastic packaging because they feel these materials, when discarded, contribute to the landfill and litter problems. 'It's one of the most reusable materials made, and that's what we're trying to demonstrate by setting up collection centers,' said McFaul.

top of page

Copyright © 2001
Courier-Gazette, 613 S. Main St. Newark, N.Y. 14513 - 315-331-1000
All Rights Reserved