RECYC-QUÉBEC distributes a free guide that can be downloaded online.
Polystyrene, the famous #6 plastic also called styrofoam in its expanded form, is a material of choice for food preservation and packaging, protective packaging of various products (e.g. electronic equipment) and the manufacture of many everyday consumer products. Although recyclable, it is rarely sent to sorting centres. Indeed, its low mass, particularly when expanded, makes it costly to transport to recyclers. However, it can be recycled just like the other plastics in your recycling bin. In fact, companies that manufacture polystyrene products are looking to increase the proportion of recycled polystyrene they use.
How then can this resource be moved cost-effectively from consumers to recyclers?
The CTTÉI addressed this issue under a mandate from RECYC-QUÉBEC with the aim of :
- Identify the different technologies for sorting, packaging and recovery of polystyrene;
- Document feedback from collection and recycling projects initiated in Quebec, Canada and the United States;
- Determine under what conditions polystyrene could be developed on a larger scale in Quebec;
- Propose scenarios for implementing a collection according to a given context.
In addition, the Technical Guide to Post-consumer Polystyrene Reclamation contains useful technical data sheets summarizing information on the equipment and technologies identified.
Download it for free right now here and make good use of it!
