Foam densification is a fancy term for compacting polystyrene foam into tiny little blocks. Foam by definition is full of air, so smushing it anyway you can saves a lot of space, which reduces waste disposal pick ups and thus, costs.

For example, Dart Container Corp makes a densifier that can compact a foam mound the size of a Prius into the volume of a five-gallon bucket.

Foam densifiers are great fits for distribution center recycling and food service foam is very common too. The equipment isn’t cheap, so sourcing it requires great care. Leasing is a good option, especially if you are selling the densified foam to an organization who uses it as a raw material.

Simply put, backhaul recycling is sending the truck back tothe distribution center full of recyclable materials. Scrap paper, cardboard, plastic bags, stretch film (shrink wrap), pallets, etc.

This technique is a economy of scale play. Each store’s volumes may be too low to encourage store level recycling or individual market areas may or may not viable  recycling programs for a given material. By backhauling the recyclables, chain retailers amass enough volume of each material to be able to get preferred pricing and make a lower investment in compactors and balers and otehr recycling equipment.

Retailers may even backhaul sufficient volumes of recyling materials that the recycler will “spot a truck” at the loading lock or the retailer may be able to deal “mill direct,” where they can negotiate directly with the paper mill or what have you.

The United States Postal Service has a Zero Waste Initiative which involves backhauling. Check out a presentation called Implementing Backhaul Recycling here.