Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is an excellent packaging material which made of 98% air. It is often referred to as packing foam. EPS is widely used in product packaging and construction because it is lightweight, strong and has good insulating properties. It can reduce the cost of transporting goods to consumers, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with goods transport.
What’s the big problem with disposal of expanded polystyrene?
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is an excellent packaging material due to its insulating and protective properties especially for expensive electronic items. However, hundreds of thousands of tons of waste expanded polystyrene are sent to landfill every year. Large, bulky pieces of expanded polystyrene can take up significant space in a waste skip so that many companies and householders need to pay more waste-removal costs. Expanded polystyrene is very lightweight compared to its volume, making the transport cost unfavourable. Many businesses are faced with the growing problem EPS packaging disposal, especially in large volumes.
Five Savings of recycling EPS
1. SPACE in kerbside bins. This leaves more room for waste that can’t be recycled.
2. Money. Recycling polystyrene can mean a reduction the frequency and cost of garbage disposal for businesses.
3. Resources. Recycled polystyrene can be manufactured into a wide range of products, reducing the demand for virgin products. Plus it is more energy efficient to make products from recycled materials.
4. Landfill Space. Sending less EPS to landfill means landfills will last longer, reducing the demand for new landfill space.
5. Environment. EPS recycling should reduce the amount of EPS litter which ends up featuring in the Australian landscape and our waterways.
EPS Foam Recycling Services
Using a Polystyrene recycling service allows for environmentally friendly foam disposal. Companies can either hire foam recycling machines, arrange to drop at eps, polystyrene foam recycling centres, or use eps foam recycling services to pick up Polystyrene if they are companies that use large volumes.
When undertaken correctly polystyrene disposal and recycling benefits the environment, the consumer and the logistic cost of the businesses involved.