Recycling of Styrofoam

This article aims to provide valuable insights into Styrofoam recycling.

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Recycling Styrofoam

What is Styrofoam and how can we recycle Styrofoam?

Expanded Polystyrene (Styrofoam) is a lightweight, shock-absorbing and insulating material widely used in packaging and the construction industry.

Styrofoam is often misunderstood and incorrectly disposed of, leading to environmental concerns. Although Styrofoam is not biodegradable, it is 100% recyclable. We want to stop it from being discarded in landfills or incinerated and with the right processes, it can be efficiently reused to create new products.

The Steps to Recycle Styrofoam

Collection of styrofoam from a construction site.

1. Collection

The first step in the Styrofoam recycling process is the collection of Styrofoam waste. This can come from various sources, like packaging materials, electronics packaging, and insulation panels. It’s crucial to sort the collected Styrofoam to ensure contaminants like dirt and other plastics are removed. Clean Styrofoam is easier to process and yields higher-quality recycled material.

Proper collection systems and awareness are crucial to ensuring that Styrofoam waste is diverted from landfills and directed towards recycling facilities.

2. Compaction & Transportation

Styrofoam consists of 98% air and due to its bulky nature, transporting Styrofoam can be inefficient. Therefore, Styrofoam waste can be compacted, and its volume will be reduced up to 50 times. Depending on the compacting machine a pallet with compacted Styrofoam blocks can weigh up to one ton.

Compaction not only makes transportation easier and more cost-effective but also prepares the material for further processing.

Compacted Styrofoam is then transported to recycling facilities.

Compacted styrofoam blocks for recycling.

rGGPS (recycled General Purpose Polystyrene)

3. Recycling

At the recycling facility, Styrofoam is further processed. This involves shredding the blocks, and feeding the material into an extruder that exposes the material to pressure and heat. This results in a melted and densified foam that will be extruded through the machine outlet.
The melted Styrofoam is turned into small pellets, rGPPS (recycled General Purpose Polystyrene), which can be used as raw material for manufacturing new products.
These pellets are a valuable resource for creating new Styrofoam packaging, insulation, and other products, completing the circular loop.

I want to Recycle Styrofoam!

BEWI’s Commitment to Styrofoam Recycling

At BEWI, we are dedicated to sustainability and the circular economy. Our circular division actively collects and recycles Styrofoam across Europe, ensuring that this valuable material is reused efficiently. By investing in advanced recycling technologies and promoting awareness, we strive to make a positive impact on the environment and support a sustainable future.

Conclusion

Recycling Styrofoam is a crucial step towards saving CO2 emissions. By understanding and participating in the Styrofoam recycling process, businesses and individuals can significantly reduce their environmental impact. BEWI is proud to lead the way in Styrofoam recycling, turning waste into valuable resources and promoting a circular economy. Join us in our efforts to recycle Styrofoam and make a difference for our planet.