Welcome to the waste directory - polystyrene
What can be recycled?
It is very slow to biodegrade and therefore a focus of controversy, since it is often abundant as a form of litter in the outdoor environment, particularly along shores and waterways especially in its foam form.
Due to the low density of polystyrene foam, it is not economical to collect.
Common uses include:
- CD cases.
- Yoghurt pots.
- Packaging material.
General waste stream
Where do I put polystyrene?
- Polystyrene is placed in the black-topped general waste bin.
Who empties the bin?
- The cleaning team will empty the bins on a regular basis.
- Sacks are colour coded (black) and will generally be transported to a compounded area via a trolley.
- Sacks are tipped into a the appropriate Eurocart (usually located in a locked compound) or into a compactor.
What happens then?
- The vast majority of our general waste is sent for incineration with energy recovery.
How green is this waste stream?
- The bins are re-used but sacks are required for each consignment.
- Most general waste is used to create energy.