Six arguments supporting PS recycling
Here are six reasons why PS is THE recycling polymer.
1. Unbeatable recyclability. All recycling methods. All uses.
PS leads the charge in recycling methods: from mechanical recycling and dissolution to advanced recycling methods such as depolymerisation and pyrolysis.
2. Holy grail of recycling
Mechanical recycling of PS is the ultimate choice for food-contact to food-contact recycling.
3. On and on and on. Infinite recycling cycles
PS doesn’t just endure multiple recycling cycles; it thrives. Its ability to retain mechanical and colour properties makes it a superstar polymer.
4. The safe choice
Polystyrene is a low diffusion polymer – similar to PET. Due to its properties, it takes up little contamination in the waste stream and when recycled doesn’t diffuse out contamination. This makes it safe and perfect for mechanical recycling, even in highly demanding food packaging applications.
5. The power of PS waste
Polystyrene can be easily differentiated from other polymers. That allows sorting of polystyrene out of the waste stream in extremely high purity. As a result, using PS waste is easy, even in very demanding recycling setups.
6. Saves a lot of CO2
Through food-contact mechanical recycling, PS contributes to emission reduction, preventing downcycling and reducing landfill, thus propelling the circular economy forward.