
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 30, 1992                   TAG: 9203300004
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: The Washington Post
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PACKAGING `PEANUTS' CAN BE RECYCLED

A pet peeve of environmentalists is plastic foam, more properly known as polystyrene. It is one of those popular materials - used in egg cartons, trays and disposable cups - that is so durable it is not easy to dispose of.

One way to reduce the amount of polystyrene that is thrown away is to reuse it. Under a program sponsored by manufacturers of the polystyrene "peanuts" used to pack fragile items for shipping, the packing material can be reused repeatedly.

Mail Boxes Etc., a chain of packing and shipping franchises, and three smaller groups have begun accepting used loose-fill packing material to be reused in their operations. Customers can bring in used but clean peanuts, as well as cardboard cartons in good condition.

Virginia Lyle, communications representative for the Plastic Loosefill Producers Council, said more than 2,400 stores now accept the plastic peanuts.

She said the council did not keep records of how much loose-fill material has been collected, but those stores the council contacted reported they are "collecting enough material so they don't have to buy new product."

Consumers who want to turn in their packing material can call 1-800-828-2214 to get the address of the nearest store.

The U.S. Postal Service, United Parcel Service and Federal Express do not pack the items they deliver so they do not accept packing materials.

by CNB