After eight years of dedicated service to our community, we are writing to announce the difficult decision to conclude our Styrofoam Recycling Program, effective May 31, 2026.

While our mission has always been to provide a sustainable solution for hard-to-recycle materials, the program is no longer financially viable. This closure is the result of several external challenges that have made continued operations impossible.

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Key Factors Leading to This Decision

· Absence of Promised Support: At the program's inception, we were assured of specific government funding and structural support. Regrettably, these commitments never materialized, forcing us to absorb 100% of the operational costs for nearly a decade.

· Ongoing Profit Loss: Without the anticipated subsidies or grants, the high cost of processing, densifying, and transporting polystyrene has resulted in a sustained financial deficit that our organization can no longer bridge.

· Uneven Regulatory Playing Field: We have faced significant pressure from out-of-state competitors. Currently, Oregon-based companies are permitted to operate within Washington without being held to the same tax obligations, permit fees, and regulatory overhead that local businesses like ours must fulfill. This creates a market imbalance that penalizes Washington-based environmental initiatives.

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We are incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made over the last eight years, diverting tons of plastic waste from our local landfills. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the community members and partners who supported this initiative through their participation.

Thank you for your understanding and for your continued commitment to a greener Washington.

Sincerely,

Earth Friendly Recycling