Traditionally, councils have avoided collecting the bulky material, due to there being little financial benefit or contribution towards weight-based recycling targets from reprocessing a material that is 98% air.
However, Rhondda Cynon Taf has installed a compressor at its Bryn Pica recycling depot in Aberdare, which heats expanded polystyrene – such as that used to pack large electrical goods – and reduces it to 2.5% of its original size, making it easier to be transported and recycled.
The introduction of the new collections follows the Expanded Polystyrene Packaging Group, which a member of trade body the British Plastics Federation, last year urging councils to offer their residents the chance to recycle polystyrene, after highlighting increasing recycling rates of the material from commercial sources (see letsrecycle.com story).
Councillor Antony Christopher, Rhondda Cynon Taf's deputy leader and cabinet member for frontline services, said: “Our success story in the field of recycling can only continue when even more residents consider recycling their household waste.
“There are so many options available to them and the decision to collect polystyrene as part of the kerbside recycling programme is further evidence of our commitment to this incredibly important service,” he added.
In Rhondda Cynon Taf, residents are already able to recycle paper, glass, plastic bottles and containers, Tetrapak cartons, food waste and textiles.
And, the council also completed the role out of food waste collections to 13,000 households at the start of March.
Rhondda Cynon Taf council claims that 55% of its residents participate in its kerbside recycling scheme ever week, and, after reaching a 26% recycling and composting rate in 2006/07, it has said it is “on course” to reach a 40% rate in 2009/10.
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