Over 10,000 tonnes of EPS are recycled each year in the UK. If your business receives EPS packaging that could be recycled the first consideration should be, ‘Is there enough EPS to justify installing a compactor?’ or, ‘Should a recycler be found to recycle the product?’. Contact details for most UK recyclers can be found here.
If you have clean, un-compacted EPS, there are recyclers who will collect this material, free-of-charge and recycle it into insulation board for construction. You will need to store up enough boxes to fill a truck and they should be palleted and wrapped in plastic film. If you contact one of the recyclers they will be able to advise you on the minimum amount required for collection.
Currently most Local Authorities do not collect EPS for recycling. It is worth enquiring at your council if they recycle EPS. There are a few consumer recycling points that have been set up by manufacturers on a voluntary basis to provide a service to their local community.
British Plastics Federation