The geologically accurate Mars yard at SAM is constructed of expanded polystyrene (EPS), or Styrofoam, two 40 foot truck loads, to be precise, with a thin layer of concrete to protect and further define the Mars-like features.
Following construction of the Mars yard at SAM, we were left with a massive amount of remnants and scraps. While Hollywood routinely sends both the scrap and full, used movie sets to the landfill, we refused to do the same. Instead, we did our research and learned that while EPS is not readily recycled as are other plastic products, it can be made into a new product called “styrocrete“—a load bearing construction material made from ground-up EPS and Portland cement (with or without sand and aggregate) for a lighter building material with improved insulation qualities.
SAM team member Luna found Earth Friendly Building Materials just up the road from Biosphere 2 in Florence, Arizona. They arrived a few days later and were able to remove every bit of foam in a single, large truck trailer.
