Over 5,000 t of expanded polystyrene packaging was recycled in the UK in 2009, according to figures released by the British Plastics Federation (London / UK; www.bpf.co.uk). The 5,031 t total was equivalent to approximately 33% of the EPS manufactured in the UK, and far exceeded the UK government’s target of recycling 25.5% of all plastics by 2010. Products being manufactured from recycled material include insulation panels, fence panels and picnic benches.

David Emes, chairman of the federation’s EPS Group, said there is a huge demand for used EPS in the UK and many recyclers want to increase the tonnage they process. Almost all recycled EPS is supplied by businesses rather than private households since the material is not collected or recycled by local authorities. Emes did point out, however, that a scheme was established in Guernsey last year, whereby both private households and businesses recycle EPS. So far the effort has proved very successful. “We hope a mainland UK local authority will consider leading the way here with a scheme,” he said. “Then we could see another increase in the tonnes of EPS that are recycled and put to good use, rather than thrown away.”