Article written by eWASA, Durban: In the realm of waste management, certain materials have long been considered challenging to recycle.
Polystyrene, in particular, has garnered a reputation for being difficult to repurpose, leading to a prevailing misconception that it cannot be effectively recycled. However, thanks to the relentless efforts and ongoing investments of the EPR Waste Association of South Africa (eWASA) – a registered Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) with The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) for the Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE), Lighting, Portable Batteries and Paper and Packaging Sectors – this narrative is rapidly evolving.
In a ground-breaking development, eWASA has proudly announced an exceptional achievement for the 2023 reporting period: a remarkable 31% recycling rate for polystyrene.
This significant milestone not only defies the conventional wisdom surrounding the recyclability of this versatile material that is used widely for food packaging, take-away containers, fish boxes, as well as protective packaging for household appliances, car parts and other fragile items but also underscores the efficacy of organisation’s initiatives in bolstering recycling infrastructure for these materials.
Adri Spangenberg, an EPR Specialist and Business Associate of eWASA explains that one of the driving forces behind this achievement is the growing demand for sustainable waste management solutions. “As global awareness of environmental issues continues to escalate, organisations like eWASA are increasingly under pressure to enhance recycling capabilities and divert materials from landfills. eWASA’s success in achieving a substantial recycling rate for expanded, extruded and high-impact polystyrene challenges the notion that it is not recyclable, prompting a paradigm shift in waste management discourse and on-pack labelling”.
Keith Anderson, CEO of eWASA, affirms Adri’s sentiment, stating that the implications of this achievement extend beyond mere statistics.
“This is a significant milestone that we have achieved through collective effort by industry stakeholders who are supporting eWASA’s unwavering commitment to advancing recycling initiatives. The funds raised from our polystyrene packaging members have been channelled directly into recycling and collection efforts, underscoring our proactive approach to addressing waste management challenges” he says.
“Various new end-markets have been developed in recent years for recycled polystyrene, ranging from lightweight concrete bricks to picture frames, cornices, curtain rods and other building and construction products. Moreover, the integration of polystyrene recycling into household waste collection systems, signifies a pivotal shift in waste management practices, paving the way for more inclusive and comprehensive recycling programmes,” Adri says.
Picture: Lab Manager