June 25, 2012 – Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker, District J Council Member Mike Laster, the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) and Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc. announced the City’s acquisition of a new Polymax 1500 polystyrene foam compactor and densifier.
“Houston is quickly becoming known for our sustainability initiatives, especially because we are giving Houstonians more recycling opportunities like having the option to recycle polystyrene foam,” said Mayor Parker.
Polystyrene foam provides superior performance in packing and food applications. However, it is bulky and made of up to 98 percent air which makes it desirable for packaging but inefficient to transport; thereby, ending up in the landfill. Thanks to a donation by Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc., that’s about to change in Houston. The Polymax 1500 compacts polystyrene foam at a 40 to 1 ratio making it economically sensible to transport and feasible to recycle. The polystyrene foam will be collected and sold to market users who develop products based on recycled plastics. This piece of equipment is the first of its kind in the region for public use and is a potential added revenue source for the city.
"I want to thank Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc. for its generous gift of the new Polymax 1500 polystyrene foam compactor to the City of Houston. This tool will allow the City's Solid Waste Management Department to continue that department's innovative approach in providing recycling options for Houstonians,” said Council Member Mike Laster.
The Polymax 1500 is another of the City’s solutions to increase recycling and slow the consumption of landfill airspace. Residents are encouraged to drop off expanded #6 polystyrene foam at the Westpark Recycling Center, 5900 Westpark, Houston, Texas 77057, and the Environmental Service Center South, 11500 South Post Oak, Houston, Texas, 77045.
ABOUT HOUSTON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
The Solid Waste Management Department provides solid waste services to the residents of Houston through the collection, disposal and recycling of discarded material in a manner that is safe, efficient, environmentally sound and cost-effective. For more information about the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department and its services, please log on to www.houstonsolidwaste.org, follow us on twitter @houstontrash or like us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/houstonsolidwaste.
ABOUT TOTAL PETROCHEMICALS & REFINING USA, INC.
Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc. (TPRI) is part of the Refining-Petrochemicals Americas Division of Total S.A., one of the largest integrated international oil and gas companies with operations in more than 130 countries worldwide. TPRI is headquartered in Houston and is a major producer of polypropylene, polystyrene, styrene, base chemicals and polyethylene in the United States. Its refinery produces transportation fuels and other petroleum-based products for the global market. The company employs more than 1,600 who work in support of manufacturing and research/development activities in Texas and Louisiana. Visit us online at totalpetrochemicalsrefiningusa.com.
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