Trusted – Economical – Verifiable.
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REfoam is biodegradable in biologically active landfills yet is also readily recyclable along with standard EPS foam waste streams.
REthink REuse REpurpose REclaim REduce Powered by Eco-One® and Integritemp ControliQ Products |
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EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE, REIMAGINED.
What is REfoam?
REfoam is a version of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) that biodegrades in Biologically Active Landfills. Biodegradation of most materials requires moisture, oxygen, and heat to promote sufficient microbial activity. Biologically active landfills typically add liquids and pump in air to help boost their numbers and stimulate higher productivity. Keep in mind that some landfills are designed to prevent biodegradation and suppress the biproduct of methane gas. For the most part, REfoam will only biodegrade in those landfills designed to promote and capture methane as a fuel capable of generating electricity.
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How can REfoam be both biodegradable and recyclable? EPS foam and in turn, REfoam, are very stingy users of material, and contain up to 98% air. This porousness makes the material ideal for Eco-One® Technology that promotes the biodegradation. Typical recycling grinds and densifies the foam into a much heavier state that can then be used to manufacture other types of products. The trace amount of colorant in REfoam is easily erased when being processed back into EPS beads for reuse.
How long does the biodegradation The goal in partnering with Eco Logic was to reduce biodegradation from decades to a few years. .
Enhanced biodegradable REfoam, made with Eco-One®, was tested to ASTM D5511. This testing represents biologically active landfills (appropriate facilities may not be available in all areas) on representative packages and has shown 61% biodegradation in just 16 months. . During testing, some biodegradation of material happens within 30 days, however, product density and thickness, as well as the activity level of each landfill will play important roles as to overall length of time. |
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How does REfoam compare to other ecologically marketed products? REfoam is lightweight yet very strong, offering superior insulation and protection. Some soft panel insulation options do not hold shape or add to shipping integrity resulting in a higher rate of damage or failure. While thermal effectiveness is largely a matter of thickness, crushing panels or materials that collapse due to moisture and condensation will also provide reduced performance.
An FDA approved colorant is used as a marker to show the material contains Eco-One®. This helps to easily identify REfoam products from those made from regular EPS. Typically, the color will resemble something akin to oatmeal or a light shade of Khaki. |