July 06-In 2009, 5,031 tonnes of expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging were recycled in the UK, the EPS Group of the British Plastics Federation has reported.
This total represents approximately 33% of the EPS packaging manufactured in the UK, says the group, well over the government recycling target of 25.5% for all plastics by 2010.
David Emes, chairman of the EPS Group, said: The BPF EPS Group works hard to support and encourage the recycling of EPS packaging. We list EPS recyclers on our website and offer information and advice by email and phone too.
So we are very pleased that once again the UK s EPS recycling tonnage increased.
Almost all EPS recycling is carried out by businesses; some recycle the packaging that goods arrive in; others collect used packaging from customers.
Emes added: EPS is a single polymer species and is therefore easy to recycle; consequently there is a huge demand for used EPS in the UK. In fact, many recyclers want to increase the tonnage that they process.
Unfortunately, it is difficult for householders to return EPS because local authorities do not recycle it as they do other items such as cardboard, glass or plastic bottles.
Last year Guernsey set up an EPS recycling scheme for both householders and businesses, and it has been very successful. We hope that a mainland UK local authority will consider leading the way here with such a scheme.
Then we could see another increase in the tonnage of EPS that is recycled and put to good use, rather than thrown away, concluded Emes.
This total represents approximately 33% of the EPS packaging manufactured in the UK, says the group, well over the government recycling target of 25.5% for all plastics by 2010.
David Emes, chairman of the EPS Group, said: The BPF EPS Group works hard to support and encourage the recycling of EPS packaging. We list EPS recyclers on our website and offer information and advice by email and phone too.
So we are very pleased that once again the UK s EPS recycling tonnage increased.
Almost all EPS recycling is carried out by businesses; some recycle the packaging that goods arrive in; others collect used packaging from customers.
Emes added: EPS is a single polymer species and is therefore easy to recycle; consequently there is a huge demand for used EPS in the UK. In fact, many recyclers want to increase the tonnage that they process.
Unfortunately, it is difficult for householders to return EPS because local authorities do not recycle it as they do other items such as cardboard, glass or plastic bottles.
Last year Guernsey set up an EPS recycling scheme for both householders and businesses, and it has been very successful. We hope that a mainland UK local authority will consider leading the way here with such a scheme.
Then we could see another increase in the tonnage of EPS that is recycled and put to good use, rather than thrown away, concluded Emes.
