Where to dispose of polystyrene foam? Proper recycling of polystyrene foam

Recycling has never been easier than it is today. Packaging is labelled, the public is educated, but nevertheless we still make mistakes in segregation. What is the reason for this? The problem arises with rarer and mixed waste, such as construction and renovation waste. - We don't know where to throw away crushed concrete, tile scraps or polystyrene foam. Segregating waste can be easy - all it takes is a few educational tips - which is why today's post will tell you where to dispose of polystyrene foam.

In this article, we will answer your questions and prove that the disposal of polystyrene waste is simpler than it sounds!

• into which containers do you dispose of polystyrene waste?
• Where to dispose of polystyrene foam after white goods or consumer electronics?
• Is polystyrene foam recyclable?
• how to dispose of polystyrene foam?

That is, our guide in a nutshell to the amount of polystyrene waste!

Styrofoam, or expanded polystyrene (EPS), is a lightweight material consisting of polystyrene granules. It has excellent insulating properties and is resistant to salt and alkalis. As a result, it is widely used in the construction industry and in the packaging of sensitive products. - cups, for example. The production process involves several steps - polystyrene is dissolved in suitable solvents and then a gas (usually pentane) is added, which causes the granules to expand into the familiar polystyrene beads. The finished material is formed into suitable shapes, cooled and then cut to size. Why is it important to dispose of polystyrene foam correctly? As you can see from the production process - it is not a biodegradable material, so inappropriate disposal of polystyrene foam can lead to serious contamination of soils and groundwater. The types of polystyrene foam are often described on the packaging to give the consumer a hint on how to deal with polystyrene waste.

The amount of construction waste after renovations can overwhelm even the most persistent. Many people contract companies such as Interzero disposal of construction waste -but where are the polystyrene pieces disposed of and what happens when they end up in the wrong container? The improper disposal of polystyrene foam can lead to a number of negative consequences for both people and the environment. Firstly - it is not a biodegradable material - polystyrene packaging takes up to 1000 years to decomposeIn the meantime, polystyrene contaminates the soil and water. What's more - animals often mistake polystyrene packaging for food, which leads to poisoning and death. In addition, the wrong choice of container makes it difficult to recycle polystyrene foam smoothly.

The Polish system of waste segregation is quite transparent so that waste disposal can be carried out smoothly. Most town hall websites provide information or have their own waste finder, allowing you to allocate the type of municipal waste to the correct bin. You can also use the website Our Garbagewhere you will find a search engine for the segregation rules in your municipality.

Packaging polystyrene is recycled provided it is clean. This group includes, for example, packaging from white goods, furniture and electronic devices. Clean polystyrene should be placed in yellow bags or bins for metals and plastics.. Discarded in this way, it will be recycled, allowing the material to return to circulation. Pure polystyrene packaging is recycled in a similar way to plastic and plastics.

Dirty polystyrene packaging (e.g. used takeaway food containers) is not recyclable. This type of waste should be disposed of in black bags or mixed waste bins. Why? Removing greasy stains or organic residues is costly and time-consuming, making polystyrene foam recycling uneconomic. This is the only proper disposal of soiled polystyrene.

Can you dispose of building polystyrene in mixed or plastic? Unfortunately not. Leftover polystyrene boards should be placed in special containers for construction waste. For larger quantities of such waste, it is worth considering using a company that deals with the professional disposal of building materials. Such companies offer transport, suitable containers and proven methods for processing polystyrene foam. This allows you to take care of the environment and comply with waste management regulations. However, if you are dealing with a small amount of building polystyrene, you can take care of the disposal yourself. You can take this waste to your local municipal waste collection point (PSZOK). It will be properly sorted and sent for further processing. This approach makes it easy to dispose of waste in accordance with the principles of segregation and environmental protection.

• Re-use if the polystyrene is properly cut and painted - an example would be façade polystyrene, which can be used as insulation in another building project or for decoration.
• Surrender directly to polystyrene foam recycling companies. In Poland, we have companies that have made it their goal to recycle this material.
• Upcycling - that is, instead of throwing away used polystyrene foam, we transform it into something new. Homemade decorations, and for the more creative, even furniture or architectural elements.

Before we decide to throw away packaging polystyrene, let's consider whether we can make use of it.

Appropriate waste management is closely linked to the carbon footprint that remains in the environment. All polystyrene balls, polystyrene plates or soiled polystyrene, remain in the ecosphere. The above alternative ways of disposing of polystyrene are just a few ideas. Municipal waste management has never been at such a high level before in history, but without a committed, informed public, it is impossible to make positive changes to the environment. This is why we encourage people to think about where the waste should be disposed of and whether it is OK - for ourselves - to throw away construction waste without giving it a second thought about its reuse. After all, each of us is responsible for the environment. Do you own larger quantities of polystyrene foam? We hope you already know what you can do with them!