Is Polystyrene Recyclable in the UK?
16th October 2024
Polystyrene is one of the most common materials used in packaging, especially for food containers, insulation, and packing peanuts. However, when it comes to recycling in the UK, polystyrene presents significant challenges due to its structure and the limited facilities capable of processing it.
What is Polystyrene?
Polystyrene comes in two main forms:
- Expanded Polystyrene (EPS): A lightweight material that is 98% air, used mainly in packaging, insulation, and disposable food containers.
- Solid Polystyrene: Commonly found in products like yoghurt pots and plastic cutlery.
While EPS is great for protecting goods in transit, it is notoriously difficult to recycle efficiently. Despite being technically recyclable, the infrastructure to handle it is scarce in the UK, resulting in most polystyrene ending up in landfills.
Challenges with Recycling Polystyrene
There are several reasons why polystyrene recycling is difficult:
- Volume vs. Weight: EPS is extremely lightweight but takes up significant space. This means that transporting it to recycling centres can be cost-inefficient.
- Contamination: Polystyrene used for food packaging is often contaminated with food waste, which can hinder the recycling process.
- Lack of Infrastructure: Very few local councils in the UK accept polystyrene in their kerbside recycling schemes. This means most polystyrene waste ends up in landfills or incinerated, contributing to environmental pollution.
Can Polystyrene Be Recycled in the UK?
Although the recycling of polystyrene is not widespread, it is recyclable under certain conditions. There are a few specialist facilities that accept clean, uncontaminated polystyrene for recycling, primarily commercial waste processors and specialist firms. These facilities use densification technology to compress the polystyrene, making it more cost-effective to transport and recycle.
Some companies in the UK are working towards making polystyrene recycling more accessible. For instance, Styropack, one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of polystyrene products, operates take-back schemes that allow businesses to return clean EPS for recycling. The recycled material can be repurposed into items such as building insulation, new packaging products, or even lightweight concrete.
Legislation and Polystyrene Waste in the UK
In the UK, recycling and waste disposal are governed by several pieces of legislation:
- The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011: Requires businesses to apply the waste hierarchy, which encourages reduction, reuse, and recycling before disposal.
- The Environmental Protection Act 1990: Places a duty of care on businesses to ensure that their waste is managed responsibly, which includes efforts to recycle materials like polystyrene where possible.
While these laws don’t specifically target polystyrene, they do encourage responsible waste management practices that could include recycling polystyrene where facilities exist. For businesses handling large quantities of packaging materials, finding ways to recycle polystyrene is becoming increasingly important for environmental compliance.
Alternatives to Polystyrene
Given the challenges with recycling polystyrene, many businesses are seeking more sustainable alternatives. Options include:
- Biodegradable Packaging: Made from plant-based materials like starch or corn, these alternatives break down more easily and are less harmful to the environment.
- Cardboard: Often used as a replacement for EPS in packaging, cardboard is widely recycled and has a much smaller environmental impact.
What Can You Do?
- Check with Local Authorities: Some councils may offer collection points or provide guidance on how to recycle small quantities of polystyrene.
- Use Specialist Recycling Companies: If your business generates a large volume of polystyrene waste, consider using a commercial waste management company.
In summary, polystyrene is recyclable in the UK, but the infrastructure is limited. While small quantities are difficult to recycle through regular waste collection services, businesses can work with specialist recycling firms to process larger volumes. As environmental regulations continue to evolve, there is a growing push for alternatives to polystyrene, as well as more effective recycling solutions.
For commercial waste services, including polystyrene recycling, Affordable Waste Management can help you find the best solution tailored to your business needs. Ensure that you comply with UK waste regulations and reduce your environmental footprint by opting for professional waste management services.