28 Mar Building Site Recycling Service
The use of expanded polystyrene in building has been around for many years due to its qualities as a strong, durable and lightweight material with excellent thermal properties – and it is also great for recycling.
Unlike many other building products, expanded polystyrene can be recycled countless times without losing quality. As a result, we are now seeing a prevalence of recycled content in the polystyrene products we use, which means a more positive environmental impact due to less wastage.
Advances in technology in manufacturing have helped increase the possible uses for expanded polystyrene and its potential for recycling. Building products now account for nearly three quarters of the 8500 or so tonnes of expanded polystyrene manufactured in New Zealand annually, which is primarily made up of thermal insulation, and a substitute for concrete called “waffle pods”. In the case of pods, the recycled content can be as much as 50%.
Throughout New Zealand, customers can benefit from a recycling service offered by expanded polystyrene manufacturers who are members of Plastics New Zealand. Customers receive bags to collect their clean offcuts at their building sites, and a collection service. The “waste” is then reprocessed and reused in other products, rather than going to landfill. In providing this service, manufacturers demonstrate their commitment to the industry’s waste minimisation initiative, and customers avoid the need to manage and store a material that, if not handled appropriately, can end up causing problems such as litter.
The recycling initiative is available in all major New Zealand cities, however tradespeople who are using polystyrene products need to be proactive when dealing with their waste in order to benefit. The point is: why pay landfill fees when manufacturers offer a service that benefits customers and the environment.
For more information please discuss with our EPS Manufacturing Member Companies involved in this initiative:
Barnes Plastics Ltd
Bondor Ltd
Expol Ltd
EPS Foam Ltd
Hope Moulded Polystrene
Koolfoam Ltd
Styrobeck Ltd