Polyfoam Recycling

In 2016, among the daily municipal solid waste transported to the landfill, polystyrene accounts for 93 tonnes. Polystyrene is a type of plastic. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is known as polyfoam or styrofoam. It is good for insulation, so that it is widely used in food industry and packaging. However, polystyrene is easily broken down into tiny pieces. This makes the collection for recycling very challenging.
 

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Polystyrene is recyclable. During the recycling process, it is crushed into tiny pieces, and compressed, then heated and melted into blocks. The recycled resin is made into new products, such as decorations, photo frames, insulation or outdoor furniture. To avoid polystyrene, you could refuse polystyrene and use reusable lunch boxes for takeaways or restaurant leftovers. You could also buy products with minimal packaging. 
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Steps for recycling polystyrene: 
1. Remove any tape, labels, cardboard or wrapping. 
2. Wash the polystyrene if it has been used for food. 
3. Take your polystyrene directly to Missing Link- Polyfoam Recycling Scheme, which is the only Polyfoam Recycling scheme in Hong Kong. You may refer to wastereduction to search for collection points for polystyrene recycling. Some of the Waste-no-malls also collect polystyrene. They will ensure the polystyrene reaching Missing Link for proper recycling.

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