What can I do with these items? Suggestions wanted

[GoodDaughter]

I have a (thoretically) unlimited supply of hard styrofoam blocks that measure approximately 12"x12"x16". They come stacked between the little utility trailers where I work. I don't know what density they are (as in what kind of 'R' value they would have but they are fairly hard). It seems such a waste to throw them in the dumpster.

I do not have a pond or access to such, so using them for a floating dock is not an issue.

However, any other ideas are welcomed.

Also--I have access to large thick styrofoam coolers that the animal vaccines and antibiotics come packed in. They come with the little frozen gel packs and are supposed to be good for 2 days before getting too warm for the meds. These coolers are about the size of an 'average' cooler, I guess about 24"x20"x20". Occasionally we get ones that are about half that size. They also have nice, tightly fitting lids.

What can I do with those?

I don't know much about the insulating properties of styrofoam, but if I use more layers of it, does it insulate better? I am thinking some kind of low-tech ice box....

[Native87]

I myself used to work at TSC and I tell you right now, if you have enough room under your home to put those blocks,it is the best insulation in the world. I would hate to think what the R value would be but if it gets trough those blocks I would say you done hit Armegeddon.LOL I also used them for a dock but you said you didnt have a pond. Advertise, ppl on water pay out the butt for those very materials. The med coolers are great for vermiculture (worm farming). Also, I took every shipping crate we ever got and used those to build goat houses,chicken coops,best kindlin in the world. TSC spends alot of $ getting rid of those materials. I looked at it as a way to save them some money. Good company, wish I still worked for em but they had a horrible manager at the time. Treated customers like crap. Anyway, that is some ideas. PM if you need to. I will see if I can think of anymore uses. Terry

[lsg]

If you have access to them for free and you company doesn't mind, advertise them on Craigslist. Someone may be interested in buying them.

[SPIKE]

A lot of buildings that have a decorative front are nothing but styrofoam covered with a product called "Dryvit". You can cut it into any shape you want to creat the desired look.
You could glue them together, cut them to shape, cover with dryvit, and paint to look like a giant boulder.
Slice to use for insulation.

Build an igloo then cover with morter/concrete.

How quickly can you accumulate them?

You could probably build an entire house if you had enough of them!

SPIKE

[leera]

The thick styrofoam is not only a good insulator,but a good sound blocker as well.......other than that I can't help you much.

Know any schools that need it to build props with? There's an idea.

The coolers are great for day trips or visiting friends......we have a small one we use to keep fishing bait cool in.......

They also make great shipping boxes for perishables and things that might get broken easily.

The ice packs are great in lunch boxes too BTW.....

I work in a pharmacy,we get them in all the time.

[Terri]

A cold frame. perhaps? You can make 3 sides with them, and plastic for the top and the south side.

[harvester]

would make a wonderful winter/summer dog house.

you could go into the worm farming business with the coolers easily.

you could dig a huge hole in your yard, line it bottom and sides with the foam, put a lid on it, like something off an old freezer. and store your vegies in there.

Im also having visions of hydroponics....hmmmm.

have a barn that needs insullated?

styrofoam makes good aeration in gardens and flowerbeds if chopped up real small and mixed into the soil. It also helps retain moisture

signs. xmas tree ornaments. cover them with batting and heavy material for colorful places to sit outside.

Hey put legs on them and make little end tables for holding drinks next to your lawn chair.

;D

[momma_to_seven_chi]

I would build hen houses or doghouses with them by sticking rods through them for joining. You could easily make a dome shape with bent metal rods. They would also make a great insulation product. You could also bury the coolers partway into the ground to be used as root cellars.

[Catalpa]

A couple of years ago I picked up some of those exact blocks from behind TSC. (Fished them from the dumpster, actually). I brought them home and taped them together with some duct tape and then used garden fabric staples to secure a burlap archery target to the front. Works great, and I can shoot it with broadheads without worry.

Later we stuck a couple of those spinning targets for the .22s into the top, and stuck the whole thing down onto a fence post to keep it from blowing over. Still using it! It's like having our own little target range out back.

[Lobo]

In my tipi I use the styrofoam coolers for my root veggie and canned goods storage. On cold days and nites I close the lids, on warm days or when I have a good fire going I crack them open so moisture will not build up.

Lobo

[Zookeeper]

For something silly carve them into tomestones for Halloween or someones Over the hill party. Spray paint them and write cute sayings on them.

[Kelleysvt]

I would build hen houses or doghouses with them by sticking rods through them for joining. You could easily make a dome shape with bent metal rods.

From experience - don't use anywhere near chickens unless you're going to cover with something else. We used blue foam around the outside of our foundation but hadn't covered it. When the hen's escape they try to eat it. It's all pock marked now from being pecked at.

[CarolAnn]

WOW - what a resource you've found!
I wish I knew someone who would sell me some of these, and I bet you know someone who would be delighted to buy them from you. Insulation, yes, but only if you find a way to stick them together - every crack between the blocks lowers their insulating value.

But crafts - yes! cut it to fit a container and anchor silk flowers in it. Or dried flowers. Build things out of it (I think any kid who has ever longed to build a fort would figure out pretty quickly how to stack them!) I see these like giant leggos - and it would be worth figuring out a system of sticking them together! (Maybe anchored by sticking them down onto stakes that have been pounded into the ground and to each other with pieces of rod that runs through several layers?) Or stacked inside a barn or garage out of the wind - what a fun toy!

[idris]

Try this link for construction methods:

www.strawbale.com/dvds/straw-bale-howto.html (http://LINKADDRESS)

If I were to head off to the wilds on along term basis, I would want some of them for Soft, warm/cool shelter.

[MelleeRN]

the blocks are great for framing out footing before your pour the concrete. they are just great molds