Volunteer Services

STYROFOAM RECYCLERS

Have you ever unpacked a package and had bulky Styrofoam that just didn’t fit well in your trash? Or have you hosted a party and used Styrofoam plates? Did you know that you can easily recycle those items? Ed and Darlene Smith, Garden Spot Village residents since August 2014, established convenient drop off locations for waste Styrofoam around campus several years ago. Packaging, clean and rinsed Styrofoam cups and food service containers can be recycled here at Garden Spot Village. Just make sure that all items have the #6 recycling, polystyrene symbol on them. “We worked in plastics for years and we know Styrofoam can be recycled. There are only six locations in the United States that accept Styrofoam for recycling and one of the locations is in Leola. Why wouldn’t we recycle it?” Darlene says.

For years, Ed and Darlene faithfully transported the clean Styrofoam to Dart Container in Leola every few weeks. Earlier this year, at Ed and Darlene’s request, a team of volunteers joined them in their recycling and collection efforts. Dave Frank, Garden Spot Village resident since March 2012, Bruce James, Garden Spot Village resident since April 2021, Charlie Groff, Garden Spot Village resident since October 2017 and Carol and Bob Totten, Garden Spot Village residents since August 2020, stepped up to help. Each month a team of two volunteers gathers the Styrofoam, loads it into their vehicles and drives it to Dart Corporation’s recycling shed, located just six miles west on Route 23. Bruce, who spent 45 years in insurance and banking, says he volunteered for this position because it was an opportunity to meet new people and it keeps him engaged with his community. This is just one of the ways he volunteers at Garden Spot Village. Bob and Carol volunteered because they believe recycling is an important thing to do and they wanted to help keep the recycling happening. Carol says, “We stepped forward to help and others did too. This is a wonderful way to help the community, the environment, the world.” If you are interested in volunteer opportunities that are meaningful to you, contact Volunteer Services at (6204).