Polystyrene packing chips

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Polystyrene packing chips

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sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 05 5:19 pm Post subject: Polystyrene packing chips
Aargh, just tried to collapse down this weeks load of packing boxes for the compost, and am left with a bin bag full of those polystyrene packing chips. I reuse as many as I can when sending things on, but i always get more than I can use. Does anyone have any brilliant ideas for these beyond putting them in the bin, I'm pretty sure they don't recycle this type of polystyrene round here.

Lozzie

Joined: 25 May 2005
Posts: 2595

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 05 5:23 pm Post subject:
Is there anyone nearby you know of who uses packaging - say, a local artist or potter - someone who has delicate things that need protection when being stored or transported? Anyone who runs an antiques business, or mail-order? They make good Christmas tree decorations when strung like popcorn onto thread.

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 05 5:25 pm Post subject:
Good point, I'll ask the local freecycle if anyone needs them

dougal

Joined: 15 Jan 2005
Posts: 7184
Location: South Kent

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 05 5:38 pm Post subject:
I, and a few other, did suggest a couple of things on an earlier thread https://forum.downsizer.net/about1890.html Or could you maybe just use larger boxes for your outgoing shipments?

Cashew

Joined: 21 Jan 2005
Posts: 60
Location: UK

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 05 5:44 pm Post subject:
They are good for drainage in pots. The thought of them fills me with dread, though, when I moved into my hse the prev owner - a seller of costume jewelry - left a box of poly chips in the garden. I awoke one morning to wonder why it was 'snowing' in May. I still find them in the soil even though I've been there more than 10 yrs

tawny owl

Joined: 29 Apr 2005
Posts: 563
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 05 8:31 pm Post subject:

dougal wrote:

I, and a few other, did suggest a couple of things on an earlier thread
https://forum.downsizer.net/about1890.html

Lots of good ideas on this. I remember, though, opening a box full of those biodegradable packing things (I presume the maize starch - smelt exactly like Cheesy Puff snacks), which contained frozen items; the condensation had soaked into the packing bits, and I shoved my hands into what felt like ice-cold porridge! Urrggh.

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 05 8:33 pm Post subject:
local school or nursery would use tham in art and craft projects too.

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 05 12:24 pm Post subject:
Sort of thing you might be able to offer on a LETs scheme too - just that they are the sort of people who might have a use for them rather than getting much for them, I mean. You could try local shops too.

Riverflow

Joined: 05 Jan 2005
Posts: 22
Location: Deepest Darkest Hampshire

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 05 3:17 pm Post subject:

tawny owl wrote:

I remember, though, opening a box full of those biodegradable packing things (I presume the maize starch - smelt exactly like Cheesy Puff snacks)

They do not, repeat, DO NOT, taste like the aforementioned snacks. I had a box delivered filled with them the other year. Smelled good. Had a couple of beers and thought I'd give it a try.

Col

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 05 3:21 pm Post subject:
Thanks for carrying out that important research for us! I had wondered myself...

tawny owl

Joined: 29 Apr 2005
Posts: 563
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 05 4:21 pm Post subject:

Riverflow wrote:

They do not, repeat, DO NOT, taste like the aforementioned snacks. I had a box delivered filled with them the other year. Smelled good. Had a couple of beers and thought I'd give it a try.

Mmm, yes, we had tried them previously (when they'd arrived in a dry box). Cardboardy, with a sort of mouldy undertone (in best Jilly Goolden voice).

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