Indianapolis - The same Styrofoam that you threw out after Christmas could later be holding your favorite Christmas memory.
Styrofoam is typically viewed as a material
that has one life, but now it's finding a new purpose, along with the
people who are recycling it.
"It's awesome. It's recycling. It's taking it
from the landfill and we're just putting it into picture frames," said
Scott Parker, team leader. "We're looking for Styrofoam that has a 6 on
it."
Crossroads Industrial Services, a division of
Easter Seals, gives people like Scott Parker and Jack Thompson a place
to earn a paycheck.
Once it's sorted out at a warehouse on the
city's east side, the Styrofoam goes into a big grinder where it's
broken up into little pieces. From there it's sent down a shoot into the
hopper, and then it's compressed.
"It just packs it into a brick," said Parker.
When it's all said and done, an entire
trailer full of Styrofoam will end up compressed into a palette. For
every 40 trucks that come in, one truck will go out full of material
that can be used again.
"After it's shredded compacted and
reprocessed. It's manufactured into these picture frames," said Curtiss
Quirin, chief operating officer.
While the crew is transforming the Styrofoam, the experience is transforming them.
"It gives people a chance to work. Especially
with people with disabilities who are not able to work," said Parker.
"I was hit by a car when I was three years old. It damaged the left side
of my brain. Before I had this job I thought I wasn't able to get a
job. Working here it gave me a lot of experience. It gave me the
opportunity to learn."
"It gives me a sense of independence. It keeps me going," said Jack Thompson.
This goes beyond recycling. This is renewal.
CROSSROADS INDUSTRIAL SERVICES: Tel: (317) 897-7320
Those interested in recycling Styrofoam should contact: CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, CURTISS QUIRIN: (317) 897-7320, EXT 4228
EASTER SEALS CROSSROADS | 
