Polystyrene Recycling For Your Business

Polystyrene Recycling

Dealing with a material like polystyrene recycling can be difficult for businesses and individuals alike. Most people don’t want to fill their bins with substances like this. Aware that the polystyrene biodegradable rate is slow and will last a number of years before breaking down in landfills. It can also pose significant threats to the environment through incineration.

Few local authority services will deal with waste polystyrene. This is why it is essential to work with a business such as Plastic Expert for your recyclable plastics. If you are a company generating a large amount of polystyrene waste, we are here to help.

What Is Expanded Polystyrene?

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a type of foam that you might commonly know as Styrofoam.

Whilst EPS material is 100% recyclable, there is no excuse for businesses disposing of this waste in your general waste bin.

With our help, we can provide everything you need to deal with your polystyrene recycling and plastic waste responsibly.

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GET A QUOTE TODAY FOR YOUR POLYSTYRENE COLLECTION

FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW

How Our Polystyrene Recycling Service Works

Contact our team at Plastic Expert providing your quantity of polystyrene, location, photos & how the material are stored.

We’ll then prepare a quote for your recyclable plastics and email this to you. Once you’re happy to go ahead with a collection we will book transport.

Collections will then be made on a day to suit your business schedule. Please let us know of any loading or access requirements in advance.

Full waste transfer documentation will be provided on collection. All of your waste items will then be fully recycled into new products.

A GREENER FUTURE

What is Polystyrene?

Polystyrene is a hydrocarbon that is used for a wide array of applications. Some examples include food packaging material, food trays, and other consumer polystyrene packaging such as polystyrene cups. Extruded polystyrene is often used in ceiling insulation. Polystyrene’s toxic nature makes it hazardous and should always be disposed of professionally.

Petroleum is made into a liquid hydrocarbon called styrene, which is then converted into polystyrene. This is through a chemical process known as suspension polymerization. Thanks to its structure and starting point as oil, polystyrene is incredibly difficult to degrade.

You may also have EPS packaging which is formed as a white polystyrene foam produced from solid beads. Recycled EPS waste can be turned into items such as frames and other materials such as insulation.

Expanded polystyrene eps is the most common type of polystyrene found on the modern market. This material is widely used to package food and drink goods to keep them safe. It adds a robust foam barrier to packaging that is able to keep your goods safe during transport. Polystyrene that hasn’t been expanded is usually found in the form of a clear film that is used to wrap food and other goods.

TYPES OF WASTE

What is the difference between expanded and Extruded Polystyrene?

Expanded and extruded polystyrene are both types of polystyrene foam, but they are manufactured differently and have different properties. Extruded polystyrene foam, also known as XPS, is made by a manufacturing process where polystyrene beads are heated and then extruded into shape. This process allows for a closed-cell structure, making XPS a good insulation material.

Expanded polystyrene, also known as EPS, is made by heating polystyrene beads, causing them to expand and take on a foamy structure. EPS is less dense and more lightweight than XPS. It is commonly used for products like packing peanuts and as a packaging material for fragile items like electronic equipment. It also can be used for hot food containers like the ones you find in fast food chains.

In terms of recycling, EPS is more commonly recycled than XPS because it is more easily broken down and can be made into new poly boxes.

How Is Polystyrene Recycled? The Recycling Process

There are three common methods of recycling, known as granulation, compacting, and densifying. They work as follows:

Granulation: Lighter density forms of polystyrene can go through a machine known as a granulator. This machine separates down to the tiny beads that make it up, which are then are mixed into unused polystyrene granules.

In these cases, there is no reduction to the strength, insulating properties, or other qualities of the material. Recycled EPS has all the same benefits of brand new polystyrene after it has gone through granulation.

Compacting: For denser forms of polystyrene, they have to go into a compactor that presses them together. The resulting material is a very heavy and thick bale of pure polystyrene. These bales go through a machine that then shreds them into new General Purpose Polystyrene Pallets.

Densifying: There are other methods of recycling that are used less frequently, too. For instance, expanded polystyrene can be fed into a machine called a foam densifier.

After it’s shredded, this machine exposes the foam to heat and pressure, melting it down into a paste which is then cooled into a block of solid polystyrene, extracting all of the air. Like compacting, the blocks of polystyrene can then be shredded into new General Purpose Polystyrene Pallets.

Get A Quote Today For Polystyrene Recycling

THE BENEFITS

Why Should You Recycle Polystyrene?

Polystyrene recycling is incredibly important in the modern world. With so many products using this material, incinerators have noticed a steep rise in the disposal of polystyrene over recent years. Below are a few important reasons why you should recycle polystyrene:

Toxicity: When disposed of improperly, polystyrene can leak toxic chemicals into the environment around it. This may be pollutants from incineration and greenhouse emissions at landfill.

Convenient & Cost-Effective: At Plastic Expert we provide a cost-effective service to businesses. We also offer rebates for bulk loads of specific plastic types. This can be more profitable by using a plastic baler to prepare bales.

Getting Help With Recycling Polystyrene Packaging

Here at Plastic Expert, we understand that dealing with materials like polystyrene can be a complicated and time-consuming process. Filling up your recycling bin and disposing of this waste wrongly can be fixed with our help.

Statistics have shown that approximately 100 tonnes of polystyrene materials are recycled every month, and with us, you can join this growth.

We’ve worked hard to create recycling services for various types of plastic for businesses. This provides an easy way to deal with your recyclable waste. Our friendly team is always happy to offer advice and answer your questions.

Get in touch today about your polystyrene recyclable waste. We can also collect a range of other plastics, such as packaging materials, cardboard and hazardous waste.

Please note that we do not provide recycling services for household waste and food waste. Please use your kerbside collections from your local council to dispose of materials.

Polystyrene Recycling For Your Business