Make Styrofoam plates into cute hanging stars after rinsing and letting dry (or brushing off crumbs). I used a stencil of a star for my patterns and cut these out using craft scissors. They are strung on regular sewing thread with a few beads at the top.
By melody_yesterday from Otterville, MO
This page contains the following solutions.
When planting hanging baskets, put Styrofoam peanuts in the bottom instead of stones. The plants do not stand in water and the baskets will not be so heavy.
When assembling an item that comes with squares of hardware such as bookcases, you can put the nails and other hardware in the Styrofoam to keep them from rolling around.
I've been doing a lot of crafting making small felt and cloth toys. They measure about 2 - 4 inches. With so many little pieces, I needed some way to keep track of everything.
When filling huge flowerpots, reduce the weight and the amount of soil you need by filling the bottom with recycled Styrofoam peanuts or even chunks of Styrofoam. I get pieces when I need them from the dumpster behind a furniture and accessories store.
Perlite is exellent for amending soil used for container grown plants and for starting seedlings in a soil or soiless medium. It insures better drainage and aeration which results in a larger, healthier root system.
I cut out the logos from the Styrofoam cups and cover them with see through plastic. I then glue them to a sheet (e.g.) a poem I made up and give as gifts. Or use as a scrapbook page.
From Styrofoam blocks taken from a new TV box, I created 4 different organizers and a wall flower display with dried or artificial flowers...
Planting large flower pots. Use styrofoam to fill the pots half way. This provides good drainage and makes it easier to move the pots.
Styrofoam pieces, often found in gift packaging, can be used to store items such as extension cords, Christmas tree lights and the like. This keeps styrofoam out of the landfill and provides extra storage at the same time.
Styrofoam! I re-use all I can. When drying starched items (ie: ornaments), I cover a strip of styrofoam with plastic wrap, stretch to form and pin to place.
Styrofoam meat trays or plates make great bases for children's drawings or decoupage projects.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Does anyone know of what can be done with large pieces of styrofoam like computers and stereos are packed in? I have a bunch and don't want to just send it to the landfill. (Originally published 2000-07-28)
If there is a mailing service in your area they usually will take and reuse styrofoam from packing boxes, also the styrofoam peanuts, and plastic bubble wrap. I've been doing this for years and am glad that I am not contributing to the land fill.
Dee
I give these to my 2 little boys ages 2 and 4 to hammer golf tees into; older kids could possibly hammer nails. The material does not fall apart and actually closes up when the pegs are pulled out.
Kathy
I use 'polystyrene' to make mirror frames. I cut it with a craft knife into the shape I want, then cut out a hole in the middle. I use old broken mirror that I cut into shape with a glass cutter (use gloves and goggles) and tape to the back with wide masking tape. Use an old paper-clip for a hanging hook, just bend to shape and push in.
I make these to my own designs and I've sold two which the lady took to the Middle-East for presents for relatives. Especially good as they are sturdy (due to the paper mache) yet light (the polystyrene.)
By chickybiker
If you have little ones underfoot, there is no limit to the rainy-day, crafty fun styrofoam can provide. My son and I made a castle, a rocket, a schoolbus.... For the castle, cut each "tower" out of the weird, thin long pieces (Big 'ole kitchen sciccors should work), and attach them to the main "building" (the biggest, boxiest piece) with toothpicks and glue.
I do a lot of shipping to my family out of state and I save them and use them myself for shipping. It never fails that I have a box with an indented top that I need "filler" that doesn't weigh much and the styrofoam comes in handy. I also save bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and that foamy wrap that comes on items to save for the same purpose.
One kind of this styro packing material crumples up into little balls of foam, suitable for filling bean bags. I make the bean bag out of scrap fabric or old clothing (pant leg or shirt sleeve is great) and put a chunk of the stryo material inside, then sew it up closed.
Yes, I am recycling styrofoam panels and blocks everyday. I am developing new panels and blocks for construction and craft projects. For more information please email your request.
I work for a major sign company. I am trying to find someone who recycles large quantities of styrofoam. If anyone out there has any info on recyclers of styrofoam please e-mail me any info you might have to: becky@signbuilders.com
thanks
Here are a few links. A lot of places will recycle styrofoam peanuts but it is more difficult to find somewhere that will recycle the large pieces. I would check with the disposal company or county waste division about what to do with the styrofoam and if there is anywhere that takes it for recycling. You don't mention where the company is located so I can't really help more.
www.oregonlink.com/
www.plasticsusa.com/
greenyes.grrn.org/
Susan at ThriftyFun
how much styrofoam peanuts do i use to make a bean bag chair?
For most of the country, it may be too long a drive to be worth the bother, but... There is a company in Tucson, AZ called Mikey Block that recycles clean styrofoam and turns it into building materials. They gladly accept whatever you drop off.
I find the Stephanie Green's suggestion in using Styrofoam for construction panels and building blocks.
Will gladly bring the stuff to you but, it will cost a lot being located in the Asian continent. If I may, would you share your recycling technology for this purpose?
Thanks.
Gil Tampoa
Green Earth Advocate
Can Styrofoam be ground up and used as attic insulation? I'm wondering if this is a safe practice with the heat generated in an attic in the summer-time. I'm talking about the rigid panels that come as form-fitted packaging. Right now, I just break it into small pieces. If there is a machine available to grind them into pea-sized particles, it would be even better.
I am an art teacher. I have the students use them to make styrofoam stamps instead of rubber stamps. Our cafeteria uses styrofoam trays. When I saw how much trash it was creating, I decided to use them for stamps. They are making designs or monograms with pencils and rolling tempera over it. They have a stamp that is personalized and they want to keep it instead of throwing into the landfills! :)
"let the kids play with it" seems to be the consensus here. As far as I can see, that's not much of a solution, as it transfers a box or pile of barely manageable size to ten thousand little bits scattered over the landscape. It makes "your" problem "everybody's" problem, and somehow that puts your conscience at rest?
If you have lots of time and an unlimited electrical budget, try baking it in an aluminum pan at 400 degrees or so for half an hour. It reduces the volume considerably, so at least you don't fill up the landfill quite so quick.
If you have the right tools, there are a lot of things you can do with Styrofoam...crafts, insulation, etc.
Here is a company that sells a variety of foam cutters:
http://www.foamcuttingtools.com
Cheers!
I have 4 of these Sytrofoam blocks (11.4"x11.4"x7") from a shelving unit and nothing that needs to be stuck into them (i.e. screws, etc) and they are solid. What can I do with them that is either creative (I do have access to very sharp cutting instruments) or useful? I don't have kids and live in Greenville, SC and don't know of any recycling places for them. Any ideas? I only have one day to figure it out (don't ask).
Your one day may be over?
Are there any fun or useful suggestions, tips, or samples of items made from Styrofoam trays that meat from the supermarket comes on? Thanks for the consideration and time.
By Dianne
I wouldn't use any of the packaging from meat, because of lingering bacteria or odors. I only save the styrofoam trays from vegetables.
Yes, one of my favorite crafts projects was to get different colored styrofoam trays and get a paper punch that punches holes in paper and punch as many holes in the styrofoam as you can. Then get a needle and thread or clear fishing line and thread the little circles on the thread.
It comes out looking like a very expensive "stone" necklace or bracelet in either turquoise or coral or obsidian depending on the color of styrofoam. White looks like the popular puka shell necklaces. Makes great earrings too! Mix the colors for more interesting combinations. Wish I had a picture but you get the idea.
I only use the white meat trays that are fairly clean to begin with--it's impossible to have no meat juices on them, so I wash well w/ soap and hot water.
Then my grandkids and I use them for home-made shrinky dink material. I usually end up experimenting w/ size of item to be "shrunk" and oven temp. before we get it just right. But that's part of the magic. And some trays work better than others.
Here's a photo of a charm that's just out of the oven. Sides need to be smoothed and clasp fitted on back to become a necklace. Button for size perspective.
To Arentwetho,
Neat idea. My grandsons are into friendship bracelets right now and your idea would be great. We use the stretchy cord so they are easy to get on and off the wrist. I bet the punching process is part of the fun.
radioflyer (aka ~gloria)
I use meat trays but I wash and dry them thoroughly and put them in the sun for no less than tree days. My grandma used the sun to erase yellow stains on fabric and to "sterilize" underwear so I figure It will help with whatever bacteria is still there.
I found this the other day and thought it was awesome. Looks like something I would see in a boutique somewhere.
www.creativejewishmom.com/
I use the trays to hold all the elements of whatever project I am working on at the time - papers, glue, scissors, embellishments, etc. I can stack the trays for the different projects (never able to do just one thing at a time) and have everything on hand when I grab a tray and sit down to work on the project.
The hospital I work for throws a lot of Styrofoam coolers away. I hate that; what can I use them for? I now plant my outdoor plants in them, but what else?
By Lisa
Check out these photos.
In trying to keep the landfill free of styrofoam, I clean and reuse mine for a lot of things. I use styrofoam under planters, as trays for under craft projects (like those using glitter), etc.
This manmade material lasts forever. There are a number of ways to use these containers for crafts and even making furniture. This is a page about uses for small styrofoam ice chests.
This is a page about uses for Styrofoam meat trays. Reusing Styrofoam packaging helps keep it out of the landfill. There are a variety of uses for the trays used for packing meat.
