There are all sorts of little foam pieces that keep things arranged and from making noise.

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As New York City officials prepare a report on how to double the city's residential recycling rate, the foam is "one of the things that you have to look at, " Department of Sanitation Deputy Commissioner Ron Gonen said by phone Wednesday.

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The problem is that some things, such as the polyurethane foam used for the most efficient fridges, cannot be recycled as anything.

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