Where to Throw Styrofoam? Proper Recycling of Styrofoam

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 made of polystyrene granules. It has excellent insulating properties and is resistant to salts and alkalis. This is why it is often used in construction and packaging of delicate products. - e.g. cups. The production process is multi-stage - polystyrene is dissolved in appropriate solvents, and then a gas (usually pentane) is added, which causes the granules to expand into the familiar polystyrene balls. The finished material is formed into appropriate shapes, cooled, and then cut to size. Why is proper disposal of polystyrene important? As can be seen from the production process, it is not a biodegradable material, so improper disposal of polystyrene can lead to serious contamination of soil and groundwater. The types of polystyrene are often described on the packaging, which is to provide consumers with advice on how to handle polystyrene waste.

The amount of construction waste after renovations can overwhelm even the most persistent. Many people outsource their construction waste to companies like Interzero - but where do the pieces of polystyrene go and what happens when they end up in the wrong bin? Improper disposal of polystyrene can lead to a number of negative effects on both people and the environment. Firstly, it is not a biodegradable material - polystyrene packaging takes up to 1,000 years to decompose. , and in the meantime, polystyrene contaminates soil and water. What's more, animals often confuse polystyrene packaging with food, which leads to poisoning and death. In addition, the wrong choice of container is primarily a hindrance to smooth recycling of polystyrene.

The Polish waste segregation system is quite transparent, so that waste disposal can proceed smoothly. Most city office websites provide information or have their own waste search engine, allowing you to assign a given type of municipal waste to the appropriate bin. You can also use the Our Garbage website, where you will find a search engine for the segregation rules in a given commune.

Packaging Styrofoam is recycled provided it is clean. This group includes, among others, packaging from household appliances, furniture and electronic devices. Clean Styrofoam should be placed in yellow bags or containers intended for metals and plastics. . When thrown away in this way, it will be recycled, which allows the material to return to circulation. Pure packaging polystyrene is subject to recycling similarly to plastics and plastics.

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

Can you throw away construction polystyrene into mixed or plastics? Unfortunately not. Leftover polystyrene boards should be placed in special containers for construction waste. In the case of larger quantities of such waste, it is worth considering using the services of a company dealing with professional disposal of building materials. Such companies offer transport, appropriate containers and proven methods of processing polystyrene. This allows you to take care of the environment and comply with waste management regulations. However, if we are dealing with a small amount of construction polystyrene, we can take care of its disposal on our own. This waste can be delivered to the local Selective Collection Point of Municipal Waste (PSZOK). It will be properly segregated and forwarded for further processing. This approach allows you to easily dispose of waste in accordance with the principles of segregation and environmental protection.

• Reuse if the Styrofoam is properly cut and painted - an example would be siding Styrofoam which can be used as insulation in another building project or for decoration.
• Directly to companies dealing with the disposal of polystyrene. In Poland we have companies that have set themselves the goal of recycling this material.
• Upcycling - instead of throwing away used Styrofoam, we transform it into something new. Home decorations, and for the more creative, even furniture or architectural elements.

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

Proper waste management is closely related to the carbon footprint that remains in the environment. All polystyrene balls, polystyrene boards or dirty 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 in history, but without an engaged, conscious society, it is impossible to make positive changes to the environment. That is why we encourage you to consider where a given waste should be disposed of and whether throwing away construction waste without further consideration of its reuse is okay - for ourselves. After all, each of us is responsible for the environment. Do you have larger amounts of polystyrene? We hope that you already know what you can do with it!