According to the Expanded Polystyrene Packaging Group (EPS Packaging Group) – which is a member of the British Plastics Federation – 42% of UK produced expanded polystyrene was recycled in 2007 , compared to 33% in 2006.
I do think that they are missing out on an opportunity because there is a market out there and there are recyclers out there keen to use it
Spokeswoman, EPS Group
However, this is limited to the commercial sector and currently no UK councils offer residents the chance to recycle the packaging waste, with the representative body recommending that local authorities investigate means of collecting the material for recycling – either at kerbside or civic amenity centres.
Traditionally used for fish trays and also in product packaging, the plastic has previously proved difficult to recycle due to there being little financial benefit in recycling a bulky product that is 98% air.
However, recent developments in compacting technology have made the product easier to transport and seen the amount recycled in the commercial sector rise.
A spokeswoman for the EPS Group pointed out that there were certain barriers preventing councils taking up the plastic in collections but also noted that some had been in contact about the possibilities.
She told letsrecycle.com: “We have talked to some local authorities about [recycling expanded polystyrene] in the past but they have weight targets and expanded polystyrene is a very light.”
“I do think that they are missing out on an opportunity because there is a market out there and there are recyclers out there keen to use it,” she added.
Anthony Roberts of the British Plastics Federation acknowledged that it was a bulky material but urged councils to investigate means of providing a recycling service for the plastic. He told letsrecycle.com: “Kerbside collection of it would be difficult but what is the great shame is why councils can't promote collections at waste sites? That could work certainly.”
Rates
Speaking about the recycling rate for 2007, Jonathan Watson, recycling consultant for EPS Group, said: “[It is] an impressive increase whichever way we look at it and something we should be proud to tell others about. The increase is mainly attributed to an increase in the capability of the dedicated recyclers and to a smaller degree the recycling carried out by the moulding companies themselves.”
Highlighting that the lightness of the product could be a barrier to councils adopting it, the representative body also acknowledged that councils see the product as appearing “infrequently” in households, however, the Group suggested that the recycling rate is due to increase, especially with support from the commercial sector.
The spokeswoman said: “Our rate is particularly good for a plastic because businesses see it as economically useful. There is now more because they [the businesses] are not paying for landfill and making a small amount of money from it as well.”
Currently subject to European recycling targets, the EPS Group has managed to surpass their 25% goal and hopes to continue this increase.
“We are well above the target and we like to think that we are increasing our recycling rates anyway and we are doing a lot to raise awareness as well,” said the spokeswoman.
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