Pearly white molding neatly lining the ceiling and floors—a classic interior decorating touch that we all know and love. Most homeowners choose different types of wood, painted white, for their molding in their new homes—and why wouldn’t they? That has been the only option . . . until now, that is. We now have a new product that looks identical to wood, but has recycles wasted materials—Introducing recycled styrofoam molding.
Post-consumer cups and packaging materials are now being transformed into elegant pieces of molding. The process involves melting down the slew of white fluffy stuff into a near-liquid that settles in molds as long, solid pieces. According to some estimates, polystyrene (the technical name for Styrofoam) waste products make up nearly a quarter of the trash in landfills. Now all of the styrofoam that comes with a new computer that aren’t traditionally recycled can actually be broken down into smaller parts and recast as totally new products.
The best part about a wood-alternative like styrofoam? The light weight molding requires no fancy equipment like hammers and nails or saws and sandpaper. All you need is some caulk, and the molding should stay adhered to your ceiling or wall for upwards of 30 years. What’s more, the product is typically less expensive than wood. Don’t you love it when the small changes you make to green your home are good for the environment, and your wallet.
For more information about the recycling process, check out PlanetGreen’s interview video with Todd Sutton.
