Polystyrene is easily recycled through the following means:

1. Breaking the scrap material into beads through a granulator and then mixing the material with new beads before molding.
2. Compacting the granulated material in special compactors to produce "bricks". These bricks are then sent to a recycling depot to produce various products, such as timber look-alike items.

This material is not generally a high profile target in recycling terms (unlike glass, paper, aluminum cans, batteries, tyres etc.). Many companies, local authorities and individuals may not have considered the implications of just how much Polystyrene they are dumping. The solution is separation, compaction and recycling!

?The recycling of polystyrene materials has increased dramatically during the last decade.

• In South Africa, the plastics industry took responsibility to act as consumer watch dog for plastics via the Enviromark and The Green Cage Project. Wire cages are placed in communities and retail areas to collect plastics for recycling.

There are many different forms of packaging used to package products.This information illustrates the proper disposal and recycling of polystyrene packaging.

Polystyrene foam packaging is the familiar white material that cushions, insulates and protects all types of products during distribution. This includes custom shaped material used to package electronic equipment and appliances, loose fill packaging often called "peanuts", blocks of foam which protect furniture and appliances and shipping containers used to help preserve perishable foods and medicines.

According to the Alliance of foam Packaging Recyclers, is safe in landfill and can be recycled. There are many recycling locations across SA.

• Once you have identified your closest collection site, call them to verify drop-off times and check to see what types of polystyrene material they accept.
• Make sure your EPS is clean and free of plastic film, loose parts or glued-on cardboard.
• Each EPS collection site has distinct criteria regarding the types of material they can accept. The locations provided are intended to include recycling centres for expanded polystyrene transport packaging ONLY.

Polystyrene is a plastic material having many uses and is particularly useful, when in a foam form, as a material for making food containers. It is a significant constituent of municipal solid waste and is particularly prevalent in waste from fast food restaurants, cafeterias and similar food service establishments. Such establishments commonly use trays, containers and cups made of polystyrene foam.

Recycled polystyrene foam can be used to manufacture a wide variety of products such as pot plants, plastic desk organisers, foam construction insulation and photo frames etc. and therefore, a valuable product. It is desirable to recycle polystyrene foam to reduce the amount of plastic in municipal landfills.

The Green Cage project supports the national plastics recycling effort.

Today the plastics industry Environmental Initiative stands firmly behind a well-structured programme of education and awareness creation that is focused on the main cause of litter: irresponsible social attitudes of the majority of South African citizens.

For more information on the Environmental Initiative or other Environmental Issues contact Douw Steyn on Tel: +27 11 653 4794,Fax: 011-314-3765,or send an email to