Eye on the Environment: Hilliard adds new partners in Styrofoam recycling

Hilliard citizens and businesses have been keeping Styrofoam out of curbside waste bins and dumpsters, thanks to the city of Hilliard’s Styrofoam densifier. Now, more organizations are partnering with the city to extend the recycling reach throughout Ohio.

The densifier was purchased in 2021 with the help of a grant from the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). It has been operated through a partnership with the city of Hilliard’s operations division and the Hilliard Environmental Sustainability Commission.

The densifier recently captured the attention of Ohio University’s recycling and zero waste coordinator, Joanna Sokol. Prior to 2021, the university’s main campus in Athens sent its collected Styrofoam to a business in Lancaster. After that relationship ended, Sokol was searching for a replacement location and discovered an article about Hilliard’s recycling efforts.

Ohio University dropped off one box truck full of Styrofoam (approximately 100 pounds) in July and has another drop-off planned for September.

“Most of the university’s Styrofoam is collected on move-in days when students unpack electronics or items,” said Sokol. “We are so happy to partner with the city of Hilliard to recycle these materials to keep the Ohio University on a path to sustainability.”

In addition, the city of Dublin has taken steps to formalize its relationship with Hilliard. The goal is developing a process in which Dublin residents can drop off their recycling to be delivered to Hilliard.

“Dublin is always looking for ways to be a leader in sustainability by providing green solutions for its residents,” said Deputy City Manager and Chief Operating Officer Robert Ranc.

“The city of Dublin is proud to join the city of Hilliard in its Styrofoam-recycling program to keep polystyrene products out of our landfills.”

Dublin is not the only central Ohio community looking to Hilliard for Styrofoam drop-offs.

“We have worked with various communities on box-truck sized drop-offs of Styrofoam, from Delaware to Grove City, and Westerville to Grandview,” said Dave Judson, operations administrator for the city of Hilliard.

Eye on the Environment:Keeping Hilliard beautiful, clean and green

New partners continue to contact the city to set up relationships, delivery schedules and drop-offs. The Franklin County Municipal Court’s environmental division and the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium are among those looking to forge a recycling partnership.

Judson has seen the city’s storage grow over the past year to 16 pallets full (about 4,200 pounds) of densified Styrofoam, much of which came from the city’s hugely successful recent recycling events in December 2021 and April 2022.

Eye on the Environment:Another successful Earth Day recycling event

The public may drop off firm Styrofoam-packaging materials (not foam peanuts, food containers or foam that bends and folds) at Hilliard’s city hall, 3800 Municipal Way, in the blue recycling bin.

Citizens, communities, organizations and businesses are encouraged to watch for scheduled recycling drop-off events announced by the city. Contact the city of Hilliard's operations division for community partnerships.