Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are EPS fishboxes recyclable?
EPS (Expanded polystyrene) fish boxes are commonly used in the seafood industry for storing and transporting all types of chilled foods. However many wholesalers, retailers and processors find disposing of used fish boxes to be a tricky problem due to their bulky nature. Luckily for businesses in the UK, recycling fish boxes is an easy thing to implement and by installing a recycling machine they can significantly reduce their waste costs vs. the alternative which is disposing of them in landfill.
2. What is an EPS Compactor?
An EPS compactor is a type of commercial recycling machine that squeezes EPS waste into stackable blocks that are a valuable commodity for Recyclers. EPS is 98% air so by compacting your waste materials, a business can save money on disposal and space on their premises.
We can offer Polystyrene Balers for either purchase or rental depending on the needs of your business. Our EPS baling machines have varying capacities and openings and are a worthwhile investment to all businesses who have lots of EPS waste.
3. Can polystyrene be recycled in the UK?
Only certain types of polystyrene are recyclable in the UK so you must first determine what type of polystyrene waste your business has. If you have EPS, then the good news for your business and the environment is that it can be recycled. For recycling purposes, waste EPS packaging can be categorised into two distinct groups: clean (for example used electronics packaging) or contaminated (for example used food packaging).
There are many different types and sizes of EPS waste but luckily, our Waste Experts are happy to visit your site (on a no-obligation basis) to help you choose the most appropriate compactor for it.
We also have recycling machinery for processing XPS (extruded polystrene waste), EPP and EPE (Expanded Polythylene) into highly compressed blocks which are stackable (as they will not re-expand after the material has been processed). If generated in significant volume, these blocks can then be sold to Recyclers giving your business a new income stream.
4. Can my business hire a EPS Polystyrene Baler?
All our QCR EPS Polystyrene Baling machines are available to rent or purchase. If you choose to rent a machine you will also get the benefit of free delivery, free installation, free servicing & breakdown cover. We'll also provide your team with free ongoing training and provide you with training records. The price of a Polystyrene Baler to rent per month is fixed throughout the contract. Our EPS baling machines for rental are ideal for businesses in the fishing industry, construction industry, electrical retailers, manufactures and recyclers. They are available to purchase or rent, our Waste Experts can give you a range of options to suit all budgets.
5. How can my business make money from Polystyrene Recycling?
If you recycle your polystyrene instead of sending it to landfill, your business will save money on the Landfill Tax which is currently £102.10 per tonne for standard rated waste. And, if produced in large quantities it's also possible to get paid for your baled Polystyrene blocks by Recycling Companies who will collect them from your premises. The prices paid depend on quality, quantity and market conditions but could be around £600 per tonne. The blocks of compacted polystyrene can be stacked easily prior to collection. Our team of Waste Experts can introduce you to our trusted network of local recyclers to ensure you get the best prices and service.
6. What is Polystyrene made of?
Polystyrene is an organic polymer. It's made up of hydrogen and carbon.
7. How long does Polystyrene take to decompose?
If Polystyrene isn’t recycled and is sent to landfill instead, it can take hundreds of years to decompose therefore it’s really important for businesses with waste polystyrene to look into an eco-friendly way to recycle it. One of the first steps could be a no-obligation free waste audit with one of our friendly Waste Experts.
8. Are Polystyrene and Styrofoam the same thing?
Styrofoam™ is a trademarked brand of insulation products used in the Construction Industry made by DuPont™. The majority of their insulation products are made from extruded polystyrene (XPS) but it's recommended to contact the manufacturer for a definitive answer.
9. How do I recycle EPS Polystrene?
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a recyclable material. Placing it in landfill is not only bad news for the environment, its bulky nature means it is often expensive to dispose of as bins and skips fill up quickly as many waste removal firms charge by volume and not by weight. The good news for businesses is that expanded polystyrene (EPS) is 100% recyclable and can also be compacted on your own premises to save space and money. This is because by using a QCR Compactor, you can bale your waste into blocks that can be stacked neatly at your premises (helping to improve site hygiene) and be collected easily by recyclers.
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