What is Polystyrene?
Polystyrene is one of the most widely used kinds of plastic. It is a thermoplastic substance; it melts if heated and becomes solid again when cool and has been used for over half a century because of its technical versatility, performance, and cost-effectiveness. It is an extremely lightweight material which is not surprising considering it is comprised of 98% air. This characteristic makes it ideal for use in packaging and bean bag fillings.
The Benefits of Recycling
- Once recycled and reprocessed, the polystyrene can be remolded. Instead of being discarded in a landfill, polystyrene can be collected, treated, taken to a factory, broken down and used to make new products.
It can be recycled up to 20 times without any damage to its physical properties, retaining its strength and durability. Recycling helps reduce pollution, free up landfill space and manage littering problems.
- The inclusion of plastic, including polystyrene, in waste and energy management, can also increase the demand for clean-burn technology – since polystyrene has a high caloric value to generate safe energy from waste.
How do I Recycle my Beans?
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) cannot be collected in your Council recycling service. However, there are collection centers all over Australia It is 100% recyclable and should never be sent to landfill.
Burning polystyrene on bonfires will release Carbon Monoxide and styrene monomers into the environment, which can be extremely hazardous to our health – Please avoid doing this.
So, if you no longer find your bean fillings useful, please consider the environment and recycle it.
Household quantities of polystyrene can be dropped off for recycling at the locations below. We recommend you contact the facilities prior to drop off to check addresses and opening hours.
Source: https://www.isowall.co.za/the-environmental-benefits-of-polystyrene-packaging/
Polystyrene Recyclers:
Western Australia
CLAW ENVIRONMENTAL
5 Forge Street
Welshpool
6106
T: (08) 9333 4888
http://www.clawenvironmental.com/
South Australia
COOLFOAM
25 Barfield Crescent
Elizabeth West
5113
T: (08) 8287 3666
Queensland
POLYSTAR PTY LTD
Unit 4, 130 Ingram Road
Acacia Ridge, Qld
T: (07) 3344 1034
NRG BUILDING SYSTEMS
2/13-15 Octal Street
Yatala Qld
T: (07) 3382 7742
POLYSTYRENE RECYCLING QUEENSLAND
105 Colebard Street West
Acacia Ridge
4110
T: (07) 3277 9999
http://www.polyrecycleqld.com.au/
New South Wales
NRG BUILDING SYSTEMS
8/31 Lundberg Dr
Murwillumbah NSW
FOAMEX
31 Mavis Street Revesby
T: (02) 9773 1655
POLYFOAM
Factory 38, MFive Industry Park
1 Moorebank Ave, Moorebank
T: (02) 9734 9555
AGM RECYCLING ENVIRONMENTAL PTY LTD
5-7 Nicholas Street
Lidcombe
T: (02) 9643 0069
BREWER STREET DROP OFF POINT
Brewer Street Lismore
T: 1300 87 83 87
LISMORE RECYCLING AND RECOVERY CENTRE
313 Wyrallah Road
East Lismore
T: 1300 87 83 87
Victoria
GREENWHEEL RECYCLING
Factory 2 67 Proximity Drive,
Sunshine West, Vic, 3020
T: 1300 289 894
UNIPOD ENGINEERING PERFORMANCE
Truganina site.
Access is via 8 Foundation Road,
Truganina, Victoria, 3029
T: +61 3 93945516
COMPLETE POD SOLUTIONS
17/21 Freight Drive
Somerton 3062
T: (03) 9308 8455
ANDPAK
731/733 Koorlong Avenue
Irymple 3498
T: (03) 5024 5819
FOAMEX
31-33 Gatwick Road
Bayswater North 3153
T: (03) 9720 4200
POLYFOAM
32 Dandenong Street
Dandenong 3175
T: (03) 9794 8320
NATIONAL POLYSTYRENE SYSTEMS
329 AT Albans Road
Sunshine 3020
T: (03) 8326 8080
BROOKLYN TRANSFER STATION
12 Old Geelong Road
Brooklyn 3012
T: (03) 9314 2297
BOROONDARA RECYCLING AND WASTE CENTRE
648 Riversdale Road
Camberwell 3124
T: (03) 9278 4444
MOONE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL TRANSFER STATION
188 Holmes Road
Aberfeldie 3040
T: (03) 8325 1730
TASMANIA
POLYFOAM
113 Cove Hill Road
Bridgewater 7030
T: (03) 6263 6900
LAUNCESTON WASTE CENTRE
Calvary Road
Mowbray 7248
T: (03) 6323 3000