What Should Your Business Do With Polystyrene?
Despite drives to reduce the amount of plastic we all use, it remains an essential product to many organisations. Therefore, where we can’t use reduce or use alternatives to plastic, it’s imperative that we treat it responsibly – which includes how it is disposed of.
One of the major plastics organisations have come to rely on each day is polystyrene. Globally, a mammoth 15.6 million tons of polystyrene is produced a year. However, the Alliance for Foam Packaging Recycling reports a recycling rate of just 12%. Researchers claim that polystyrene accounts for as much as 30% of total landfill volume and 20% as litter which can end up in our waterways.
Unfortunately, polystyrene has a long-lasting impact on our planet as it takes more than 500 years to break down. That means, every piece of polystyrene which has ever been produced and subsequently thrown away still exists. And while polystyrene itself is non-toxic, there are concerns it can leach harmful chemicals in landfill, polluting the environment.
If this has inspired you to stop disposing of polystyrene in landfill, we commend you. But what should you do with it? Read on for phs Wastekit’s guide to recycling polystyrene.
How much does it cost to dispose of polystyrene?
It is becoming more and more expensive to dispose of polystyrene in the general waste stream. Landfill tax continues to rise, up from £94.15 per tonne in April 2020 to £102.10 in April 2023 – an increase of more than 8%. Plus, landfill tax is only expected to go one way in the future.
Not only is it non-environmentally friendly to dispose of polystyrene in landfill, it’s becoming increasingly financially unattractive. However, by recycling polystyrene instead, you can avoid these hefty landfill costs. And by working with recycling companies which are willing to pay for waste polystyrene, you can convert what was a cost into a new revenue stream.
Can polystyrene be recycled?
It’s a common misconception that polystyrene is a form of plastic that cannot be recycled. However, let’s end that myth now; polystyrene can be recycled. And in fact, recyclers are even willing to pay for waste polystyrene so it can be reused. Therefore, by recycling polystyrene, you’re not only doing the right thing for the planet, you can make money too.
How much money can be made from selling polystyrene for recycling?
The amount of revenue you can generate from selling polystyrene for recycling varies but you can make as much as £500 per tonne. Variable factors include the company you are working with, the quantity of polystyrene produced, number of collections and how you have processed your polystyrene waste.
How do I process polystyrene waste for sale?
It’s not economical to sell small quantities of polystyrene waste for recycling. It has to be worthwhile for recycling companies to collect it, so you’ll have to store up waste polystyrene so you can offer a viable quantity. However, polystyrene can be incredibly voluminous so can take up a lot of storage space. By using a polystyrene baler, you can substantially reduce the volume of polystyrene and transform it from messy, space-hogging bags of waste into neat, compact bales which can be stacked ready for collection.
What is a polystyrene baler?
Baling machines are revolutionary when it comes to handling and storing polystyrene waste. Waste polystyrene is simply placed into the baling machine which compresses the contents into smaller plastic bales, reducing its volume by around 95%. These bales are more stable and denser, making them easier to store and safer to transport. As the baler does the work for you, the requirement for manual labour and the risk of human error during baling is reduced. Plastic balers can run 24/7 with smaller and larger heavy-duty machines available, able to keep up with operational requirements no matter how demanding the schedule.
What happens to recycled polystyrene?
Recyclers sell waste polystyrene on to re-processors who convert it into polystyrene pallets or granules. It can then be used for a range of new purposes including insulation, packaging and consumer products.
What are the benefits of recycling polystyrene?
The most admirable benefit to recycling waste polystyrene is its contribution towards the environment and reducing an organisation’s carbon footprint. Recycling allows waste to be reused time and time again, saving on raw materials and production as well as reducing the amount sent to landfill where it will fester for hundreds of years.
As well as contributing towards an organisation’s zero-waste targets, recycling polystyrene saves money on landfill disposal costs and potentially generates new income when it is sold on to recyclers. In addition, compacting polystyrene helps to save valuable space as well as being neater and easier to store.
Where to get a polystyrene baler?
phs Wastekit offers quality high-grade plastic balers both for sale and for hire across the UK. Our team of experienced experts can advise on the best baler to meet your requirements, whether you handle large amounts of polystyrene waste or smaller quantities on an ad-hoc basis.
For more information, get in touch today. And don’t forget to ask about phs Wastekit’s free WasteSaving Audit which can identify opportunities for you to cut costs and improve your carbon footprint further including a no-obligation product trial.