Wedoany.com Report on Mar 2nd, Cumberland County, North Carolina, a populous area in the state, has received $50,000 in funding from the Foam Recycling Coalition (FRC), which is under the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI). This grant aims to promote the recycling of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, covering items such as cups, plates, bowls, takeout containers, egg cartons, and block packaging foam.

Established by FPI in 2014 and headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, the FRC focuses on increasing the recycling rate of foodservice packaging made from EPS foam. For Cumberland County, the funds are designated for purchasing and installing a foam densifier at the Ann Street Landfill in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

According to the county, the foam densifier compacts foam products into blocks or ingots. These foam ingots are then sold to processors for use in manufacturing products like architectural molding and picture frames. Residents can bring recyclable items, including EPS foam, to the Ann Street location or any of the county's 16 container drop-off sites.

"This grant expands recycling opportunities for our residents while helping Cumberland County reduce waste and recover valuable materials," said Amanda Lee, General Manager of Natural Resources for Cumberland County. "It's a practical, community-driven step toward a more sustainable future."

The county has launched a promotional campaign to encourage foam recycling among residents in communities including Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, Falcon, Eastover, Godwin, Hope Mills, Linden, Spring Lake, Stedman, and Wade. It is also collaborating with construction crews within the county to separate foodservice trays and containers for recycling.

Since 2015, Cumberland County has become the 41st recipient of an FRC grant. According to FPI data, thanks to FRC support, over 15 million additional residents in the United States and Canada can now recycle EPS foam. The grant funding comes from FRC members, including Americas Styrenics, Chick-fil-A, CKF Inc., Dart Container Corp., Dyne-A-Pak, Genpak, Ineos Styrolution America LLC, Novolex, and Republic Plastics.

"Cumberland County is the sixth community in North Carolina to receive an FRC grant," said Natha Dempsey, President of FPI. "We are delighted to support these efforts, enabling over 336,000 residents in the county and more than 3 million people statewide to recycle [EPS] foam."