How to Dispose of Pool Noodles

From floatation devices to exercise aids, pool noodles provide the needed buoyancy and support for both children and adults. For facilities that stock pool noodles in bulk, such as gyms or public pools, there are certain tried and true practices for disposing of these items.

In Today’s Post, We’ll Talk About the Considerations You Need to Know When Getting Rid of These Foam Tubes:

PE foam noodles are 100% Recyclable

PE foam has a resin code of 4 and is recyclable. As a thermoplastic, PE foam can be recycled with the appropriate recycling machine. A specialized hot melt machine can melt PE foam, and the resulting substance can be used to make another set of new products.

Not all recycling facilities can handle PE foam

The recycling rate of PE foam is about 30%. It means 70% of waste PE foam does not end up in recycling facilities. Recycling PE foam requires specialized machines that can crush, melt, and mold waste PE foam to transform them into EPE ingots. Unfortunately, not all recycling centers are equipped with this type of equipment, but the right facilities can be easily found. An extra bit of effort to find these facilities can bring immense benefits.

Reuse PE noodles until the end of their life cycle

Due to their construction, these flexible foam tubes can hold their shape and survive from mishandling for a long time. This means foam noodles can withstand years of continuous use without losing their low density and cushioning properties. One of the most viable ways to keep them from ending up in landfills is to use them to the absolute end of their lifespan.

Donate PE noodles so others can benefit

Donating them is another good option.  You can give these colorful tubes to schools, orphanages, and other institutions that might use them in making crafts, camper slides, exercise aids, and edge protectors. The options are endless.

Tossing pool noodles in landfills or incinerating them are not environmentally friendly ways to end their life cycle. Always repurpose or donate these tubes if you cannot recycle them.