Local recycling program launched to help reduce landfill waste by recycling polystyrene foodservice containers that are helping prevent the spread of COVID-19
Portland, Ore., June 05, 2020 – Agilyx Corporation (“Agilyx”), the leader in chemical recycling of post-use plastics back into polymers, chemicals and low carbon fuels, today announced the collaboration with Beaverton Lodge, an Oregon Metro area retirement residence, to recycle polystyrene foodservice items. Beaverton Lodge recently implemented a polystyrene foodservice program to reduce the potential for exposure of residents and staff to the COVID-19 virus.
The Beaverton Lodge, which on average serves 200 meals per day to their 150 residents, had previously provided the majority of their meals through a community dining room with delivered meals provided for residents if needed. In January of 2020 they implemented a new program in response to initial concerns for the safety of their residents. To limit any unintended transmission of COVID-19, the community dining room was closed and replaced with a direct meal delivery program using Dart Container polystyrene foodservice containers. Polystyrene was chosen for the new program due to the need for insulated, cost-effective, single-use items to transport prepared meals from the kitchen to the residents.
After starting this new program, Beaverton Lodge began collecting the used foodservice items and deliver them to Agilyx in Tigard, Oregon. The collected polystyrene items will then be recycled to new products through Agilyx’s joint venture with Americas Styrenics, Regenyx. By doing this, Beaverton lodge is helping to divert foodservice items from being landfilled and is helping to create polystyrene items with up to 70% less Greenhouse Gas generation (“GHG”) as compared to virgin materials. To ensure the safety of Agilyx employees, materials that are received from this program will be quarantined for three days to mitigate any potential transmission while preparing the feedstock.
“Agilyx is proud to be working with an organization that is pioneering new, environmentally-sustainable projects, meeting zero-waste goals and maximizing the wellbeing of their residents and staff,” stated William Cooper, SVP of Corporate Strategy at Agilyx Corporation. “We hope that programs like this can help educate others in the industry about the benefits and circular recyclability of single-use plastics.”
“We have always strived to be green and established recycling at our facility early on, before most places like ours had recycling,” said Ian “Louie” Paul, Executive Director of Beaverton Lodge. “It has been a challenge adapting to the ‘new normal’, but our residents and staff have all gone above and beyond to make sure everyone stays healthy. Together, we can get through this.”
About Beaverton Lodge
Beaverton Lodge is a 62+ Independent Living Community. We pride ourselves on providing affordable luxury to our residents. Family built and owned since 1987. We are close to many public amenities, yet maintain a relaxed, comfortable, and quiet location. For more Information, visit us at www.beavertonlodge.com.