oikos®

In 1991, Amoco Foam Products introduced the first extruded polystyrene insulation board to contain recycled content. At least 50 percent of the resin used to make RCX boards was recycled, with at least 25 percent coming from the post consumer waste stream. Recycling enthusiasts saw a major market for disposable school lunch trays and fast food clamshells.

Now owned by Tenneco Building Products, the recycled content products RCX and RCY have been "de-emphasized" in Amofoam line, according to Alswinn Kieboom, Amofoam insulation product manager. RCY has been officially discontinued and RCX is "not generally available." However, you may still be able to special order the product.

What is hurting these promising products? It's the market, according to Kieboom. Prime resin for polystyrene has always been cheaper than recycled resin. Plus the market for building materials is very competitive. When Tenneco raised the price by less than 10 percent, sales dropped proportionally.

"The market didn't respond favorably to the higher cost," says Kieboom.

Government purchasing programs intended to encourage recycled-content materials didn't help. The rules require competitive bids and the Tenneco products have no competition.

But Tenneco, a leading maker of packaging, still has the technology.

"We look forward to the day when we can bring the products back to market," says Kieboom. To determine availability of RCX in your area, contact Tenneco. To commiserate with Kieboom, call him at 405-350-1347.