The answer to “Is polystyrene recyclable?” is that yes, polystyrene is 100% recyclable. However, not many places offer the opportunity to recycle it.
Due to its varying density, bulkiness and composition, which can be up to 98% air, it’s often not economical for recyclers to collect it as loose material. This means that businesses that want to recycle polystyrene may need to take the initiative to do it themselves.
Investing in polystyrene compactors can significantly reduce the volume of polystyrene waste, making it more economical to recycle. These compactors efficiently compress polystyrene, transforming it into manageable blocks that are easier to store, transport, and ultimately recycle.
Quick Navigation:
- Is Polystyrene Recyclable?
- Where Can You Recycle Polystyrene?
- What is Polystyrene Made Of?
- What Impact Does Polystyrene Have on the Environment?
- Are There Environmentally-Friendly Alternatives to Polystyrene?
- How is Polystyrene Recycled?
Is Polystyrene Recyclable?
Yes, polystyrene is recyclable, but the process can be more complex than with other materials. Polystyrene, commonly known by the brand name Styrofoam, is a type of plastic that is primarily composed of air, making it lightweight and less dense. This composition makes polystyrene recycling challenging because it is not economically viable to collect and transport as loose material. However, with the correct machinery polystyrene can be recycled into new products.
Recycling polystyrene typically involves compressing or densifying the material to reduce its volume, making transportation and processing more economical. Once compacted, the polystyrene is shredded, melted down, and reformed into pellets, which can be used to manufacture a variety of new products, such as insulation, picture frames, and new packaging materials.
However, due to the specialised nature of the process, not all recycling facilities are equipped to handle polystyrene, which is why businesses often face challenges in recycling it.
Are All Types of Polystyrene Recyclable?
Yes, all three types of polystyrene—PS, EPS, and XPS—are recyclable. The main challenge businesses encounter is locating facilities that offer polystyrene recycling, as it is not a widely available service.
Where Can You Recycle Polystyrene?
Recycling polystyrene is not widely practised, and most local councils do not offer this service. As a result, businesses are often advised to dispose of polystyrene in general waste bins, which means it ends up in landfills. This lack of recycling options can be frustrating for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact.
However, taking control of your polystyrene disposal can be both environmentally and financially beneficial. Investing in a polystyrene compactor allows you to significantly reduce the volume of waste, making it easier to manage and more cost-effective to transport.
Additionally, compacted polystyrene is more valuable, and businesses can benefit from recycling rebates, which can start from £300 per tonne. By using waste compactors to reduce recycling polystyrene on-site, businesses not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also turn waste into a potential revenue stream.
What is Polystyrene Made Of?
Polystyrene is a synthetic hydrocarbon polymer derived from a monomer called styrene. This versatile material comes in two main types:
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS): The foam-type material commonly seen in packaging and insulation. It is lightweight, consisting mostly of air, which makes it an excellent insulator.
Extruded Polystyrene (XPS): Another foam variety with a denser structure than EPS, making it ideal for insulation purposes in construction and packaging.
Due to its lightweight yet robust nature, polystyrene is widely used for protective packaging, particularly for fragile items like electronics. It is also prevalent in the food industry, where its insulating properties help keep food fresh during transportation. Polystyrene is also used in medical applications because it is easily sterilised, making it suitable for transporting medical equipment like test tubes and Petri dishes.
So, What Makes Polystyrene Difficult to Recycle?
The composition of polystyrene, particularly its high air content in EPS and XPS forms, makes it challenging to recycle. The material’s lightweight nature means it takes up a lot of space relative to its weight, making it inefficient to transport and process in its loose form.
Additionally, the different types of polystyrene can be difficult to separate during recycling, and contamination with food or other substances further complicates the process.
What Impact Does Polystyrene Have on the Environment?
While the environmental impact of manufacturing polystyrene is relatively low, its long-term effects on ecosystems are profound. Polystyrene is a persistent pollutant that can take hundreds of years to biodegrade, if it degrades at all. During this time, it poses multiple environmental hazards. One of the primary concerns is its tendency to break down into microplastics, tiny fragments that are nearly impossible to remove from the environment once they have been introduced.
These microplastics are particularly dangerous because they can infiltrate various ecosystems, entering the food chain and accumulating in the bodies of animals. Marine life is especially vulnerable; fish, seabirds, and other wildlife often mistake these small pieces of polystyrene for food, leading to ingestion that can cause internal blockages, malnutrition, and even death. The ingestion of polystyrene by marine life can also lead to the introduction of these plastics into the human food chain, posing potential health risks.
Moreover, polystyrene’s lightweight and buoyant nature makes it easily dispersed by wind and water, leading to widespread pollution in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. It can clog waterways, harm marine ecosystems, and litter coastlines.
The persistence of polystyrene in the environment has prompted several cities and countries to ban its use. For instance, Vancouver’s ‘Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy,’ which aims for zero waste by 2040, includes a prohibition on polystyrene in the food industry due to its environmental hazards.
Recommended Article: What are the benefits of recycling polystyrene?
Are There Environmentally-Friendly Alternatives to Polystyrene?
Yes, there are eco-friendly alternatives to polystyrene. For businesses that produce small amounts of polystyrene, switching to sustainable materials like recycled FSC-certified paper, which is biodegradable, can be a simple solution.
Other options include corrugated cardboard and biodegradable packaging pellets made from starch. Some companies are even using materials made from mushrooms that mimic polystyrene but are fully biodegradable.
Polystyrene is still a cost-effective material, especially for high-volume packaging. However, it’s important to have a solid waste management strategy in place to handle it responsibly.
How is Polystyrene Recycled?
Polystyrene is recyclable, and one of the most effective methods is through the use of a polystyrene compactor.
Polystyrene compactors compress waste polystyrene into dense blocks, significantly reducing its volume by up to 50:1. This not only makes the material easier to store and transport but also transforms it into a valuable commodity for manufacturers who produce plastic pellets. These pellets can be used to create various products such as insulation sheets, clothes hangers, flower pots, and picture frames.
At Greenbank, we offer a range of polystyrene compactors designed to meet different business needs:
- SC1200: Ideal for smaller volumes of polystyrene waste, this compactor is perfect for businesses that need to manage waste efficiently without requiring extensive space.
- SC2200: Suited for medium-sized operations, the SC2200 offers increased capacity while maintaining ease of use and efficiency.
- SC3200: For large-scale waste management needs, the SC3200 provides maximum compression power and capacity, making it ideal for businesses that generate significant amounts of polystyrene waste.
By investing in a polystyrene compactor, your business can join the growing number of companies in the UK that recycle approximately 100 tonnes of polystyrene each month, contributing to more sustainable waste practices. Contact Greenbank today to learn more about recycling polystyrene.
Waste Management: Cut Costs & Retain Quality
If you’re interested in learning more about polystyrene and waste management, our eBook, ‘Waste Management: How to Cut Costs and Retain Quality,’ is a valuable resource. Packed with insights on the true costs of waste management and disposal for UK businesses, it offers practical advice on reducing waste, saving money, and enhancing your eco-friendly practices.
Waste Management: How to Cut Costs and Retain Quality
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