A new initiative from the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) aims to promote and boost the amount of expanded polystyrene that is collected and recycled at its eight reuse and recycling centres - RRCs - across north London.
The result of a partnership between NLWA, the British Plastics Federation BPF, NLWA-owned LondonEnergy Ltd, and Greenbank Recycling Solutions, the initiative saw the launch of a new trial on 8 November 2021, when NLWA added polystyrene to the list of 29 waste streams that get recycled at RRCs. Greenbank has provided the onsite compactors being used in the trial and is also managing the processing of the material.
Each year across the UK over 10,000 tonnes of polystyrene is thrown away. EPS is fully recyclable but because it is 98% air it provides unique challenges when it comes to collecting and reprocessing the material. Although it is light, it is also bulky, so the NLWA is urging north London residents to participate by bringing their unwanted polystyrene to one of the participating RRCs.
Currently in the UK, 54% of the material is recycled. With the implementation of initiatives like this one, it is far more of it will be able to be collected from UK households.
The reprocessed material from the scheme will be made into insulation panels for use in construction. These panels decrease running costs and carbon emissions from buildings, as well as reducing the use of virgin material. At the end of their life the panels can be recycled again, making the process truly circular. The recycled material can also be used to make products like coat hangers, toys and picture frames.
However, up until now, the only solution was to dispose of EPS through energy from waste - in other words, incineration, said Chair of NLWA, Cllr Clyde Loakes, “But this new recycling infrastructure will enable us to manage it efficiently and with less impact to the environment.”
EPS packaging is highly effective in protecting valuable electrical items such as televisions, microwaves and fridges as it is extremely lightweight as well as being water resistant. It is also widely used as an insulating material in the construction sector, as well as in bicycle helmets, boxes to transport live organs and other pharmaceutical packaging.
The present initiative will help to demonstrate the value of EPS and show the general public that EPS is 100% recyclable.
Plus, as Chairperson of the BPF EPS Group David Emes, noted, working with Local Authorities in this way also provides them with a potential income through the value of the EPS.
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