Foam Muncher processes Cowras’ first Styrofoam recycling load

Published on 18 August 2023

In a first for the Cowra Shire, Foam Muncher was onsite last Friday August 18 at the MRF in Cowra to process Cowras’ first load of Styrofoam Recycling.

Styrofoam is a big problem when it goes into landfill as it does not breakdown and the other disadvantage of Styrofoam going to landfill is that it often does not stay there as it will breakup and blows all over the place making a mess.

For Cowra Shire Council’s Supervisor – Waste Operations, Anthony Collins, the addition of Foam Muncher is a game changer for not just Cowra Council but organisations everywhere.

“The community can drop off clean white polystyrene at the MRF into the supplied foam stillage for free. When the stillage is full the MRF staff change the bag out for a new one and store the full bags of Styrofoam in a shipping container to keep it dry,” said Anthony.

“When we have a full container of Styrofoam, we give Foam Muncher a call to arrange a truck to come and process and pick up the Styrofoam. The truck will arrive onsite and set up for processing (processing unit is all enclosed and contained in the truck),” he said.

“The operator sets the unit up with a conveyor out the back of the truck to load the Styrofoam into and then the Styrofoam moves up the conveyor into a shredding machine to the extruder before coming out looking like blobs of bread dough where it is then taken away by Foam Muncher and sent overseas to be added with other polymers to become outdoor furniture.”

Foam Muncher are currently doing trials in Australia to produce railway sleepers out of recycled Styrofoam.

“It is a great program to get involved with as Foam Muncher effectively deals with an issue that has been a challenge for many waste facilities, councils and related organisations – the safe disposal of Styrofoam,” Mr Collins said.

For more information call Cowra Shire Council’s Waster Services on 02 6340 2000.