Carol Baldwin
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Wakaw Recorder
In the world of recycling, managing polystyrene foam waste effectively is a significant challenge. A joint investment by SARCAN and SK Recycles is directly addressing that challenge with a new foam densifier in Saskatoon. Previously, collected foam had to be transported outside Saskatchewan for densification before it could be sent on to an end market.
Foam densifiers compact loose foam products into blocks for transportation and storage before they are recycled. Foam packaging is fed into a chamber where it is broken into smaller pieces before being compressed at a 50:1 ratio, dramatically reducing its volume and destroying its memory. Compacting turns large volumes of lightweight foam into dense blocks that are easier to handle, store and ship. Compacting the material before transport means significantly fewer truckloads, directly lowering fuel consumption and cutting greenhouse gas emissions associated with transport.
SARCAN’s new densifier began transforming foam roughly six months ago. Previously, roughly 500 kilograms of foam packaging could be shipped at a time due to the significant space the foam occupied during transportation. The new densifier allows for 16,000 kilograms of packaging to be shipped, or 32 times more foam than before, at approximately the same transportation cost.
Director of Post Collection with SK Recycles Kelly Goyer described the project as an ‘incredible success,’ saying, “The new densifier strengthens Saskatchewan’s ability to recycle foam efficiently, and it helps ensure valuable materials remain part of a circular economy in Saskatchewan. …By densifying foam here in Saskatchewan, we can move significantly more material in fewer shipments, making the process from collection to recycling into new products much more efficient.”
For residents, the process begins at their local SARCAN depot, where they bring their foam packaging. There it is consolidated and transported to the SARCAN Saskatoon Processing Facility, then sorted and densified into compact blocks. From there, it travels via rail to a verified recycling end market in Quebec, where the material is turned into extruded polystyrene insulation boards that are primarily used as thermal insulation for foundations, walls, and inverted roof systems, including plaza decks, green roofs, and parking decks.
SARCAN started accepting foam packaging in December 2024. Before 2024, it was not a material that was being successfully recycled; however, since then, more than 45,000 kilograms of foam have been recycled. SARCAN Director of System Operations Sean Collins said Saskatchewan residents wanted a way to recycle materials they did not know what to do with other than sending them to the landfill, and they responded.
“More than 50 metric tons of foam collected in less than two years shows that Saskatchewan residents are embracing the opportunity to keep this material out of the landfill,” said Goyer, and the investment is a big step in making the recycling system in the province work better.
Finding ways to reduce waste is an increasingly important part of minimizing impact on the environment. Recycling diverts waste from landfills, conserves resources and energy and feeds the ever-growing green economy.
SARCAN depots across the province continue to accept foam egg cartons and trays, foam food containers and trays, and firm foam cushion packaging for recycling. Packing peanuts, foam insulation, foam noodles, pillows and cushions, etc., are not accepted in the SK Recycles program. Other materials and recycling restriction information can be found on SKRecycles.ca or on SARCAN.ca.
SARCAN depots are located in both Wakaw and Rosthern.
