Dart Container opens wash-and-dry center at its Corona, California, plant, says facility will enable it to process food contaminated foam containers for recycling, including cups, plates, clamshell trays and school lunch trays

Graziela Medina Shepnick

CORONA, California , June 27, 2011 (press release) – Invites California Organizations, Businesses and Residents to Take Advantage of Expanded Recycling Options

A new facility opening today marks another milestone in foam recycling efforts in California.

Dart Container Corporation today opened its Wash & Dry Center, which will enable the company to process food contaminated foam foodservice containers for recycling – including cups, plates, clam shell trays, and school lunch trays. The center, which is located at Dart's Corona facility, can process foam even with food residue, making it even easier for local organizations, businesses and residents to recycle their used foam. With the ability to clean slightly more than three million pounds of foam per year, Dart can now recycle 100 percent of the foam it receives.

The unveiling included a ribbon cutting at the new center, demonstrations of how the equipment works and a tour of the foam foodservice product manufacturing process. Attendees ranged from local business representatives to residents to prominent elected officials, including Senator Bill Emmerson and Assembly Member Jeff Miller. Dart was lauded by the elected officials and other organizations for their commitment to recycling efforts.

"We are fortunate to have a company like Dart in our community," said Senator Bill Emmerson. "Not only is Dart a major employer for our residents, but as a responsible manufacturer, the company is continually focused on reducing its carbon footprint and providing our community with options for recycling their foam products. We commend the many Dart employees that work tirelessly on these efforts."

"One of the things that caught my attention is Dart's positive financial impact on the state," said Assembly Member Jeff Miller. "I hope I can continue to collaborate with companies like Dart and work on programs that allow businesses to flourish."

Once the foam is received by Dart, it is cleaned, dried and compacted by the equipment. The compacted foam is then shipped to a company that uses it to make a variety of new products, including premium picture frames, interior molding and agricultural containers.

Even though many Southern California residents already have access to curbside recycling programs for their used foam, this will provide foodservice operators another option to contribute to a cleaner future, while helping their bottom line. Nationally, the company can process more than 12 million pounds annually, signaling major opportunities throughout the country. The new center will immediately be put to use with processing the more than one million school lunch trays that Dart collects and recycles monthly through its partnership program with P & R Paper, several public school systems and a waste hauler.

"Our investment in the wash and dry equipment is another example of our commitment to driving foam recycling infrastructure nationally," said Michael Westerfield, Corporate Director of Recycling Programs at Dart Container Corporation. "This presents an opportunity for businesses and organizations that want to recycle foam but may not have the means to establish extensive programs. Now they can still contribute to a cleaner environment and recycle their foam, even with limited resources."

Commonly referred to as "Styrofoam", a registered trademark of the Dow Chemical Company, foam #6 is a recyclable product that is used in a wide range of products, from foam cups and foodservice containers, to the large molded blocks used to package electronics. Dart is driving foam recycling efforts throughout California and nationally through its programs, and foam drop off-locations at 13 facilities across the country.

About Dart Container Corporation

Established in 1937, Dart Container Corporation sets the industry standard of excellence by providing high quality, recyclable, affordable and safe foodservice products and packaging, exceptionally reliable service and responsible environmental practices. Dart is making a concerted effort to increase foam recycling opportunities throughout the country and strives to produce high-quality, cost-effective products in a manner sensitive to environmental concerns. Dart is headquartered in Mason, Mich. For more information, visit www.dart.biz or call (800) 248-5960.

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