Styrofoam is one of the most common types of waste that we, as a waste clearance company in London, deal with on a regular basis. Known chemically as polystyrene, it is one of the most common materials used to contain food and beverages. But it is also a bit part of office waste. The material also makes up the majority of packing and insulation products available today. Yet, the environmental impact of using Styrofoam is immense in more ways than one.
This article will closely examine the amount of Styrofoam waste generated in London, why it is detrimental to the environment, and tips for proper waste clearance to minimize its environmental impact.
What is Styrofoam Rubbish Removal?
It is called polystyrene, and its chemical makeup makes it non-biodegradable. Putting it in the ground does not mean it will decompose the way biodegradable materials do. It is for that reason that Styrofoam will remain in our environment as waste for several years, affecting both animals and humans. Each time you dispose of Styrofoam improperly, there is the potential that it will emit toxic gases. Plus, not only does it affect animals on land but also marine life, so it is unlike general waste.
As citizens of the world, we need to take steps to reduce the impact of Styrofoam, but we can only do this one person at a time. For starters, it would make proper Styrofoam waste clearance London easier if users of the products disposed of packaging materials for instance correctly. This would effectively reduce the environmental impact of the material. However, it would be better if manufacturers and users preferred more sustainable alternatives.
In the next section of this article, we’ll go into ways to correctly recycle and dispose of Styrofoam which helps minimize its environmental impact.
The Best Way To Remove Styrofoam Waste or Polystyrene Recycling
The fact about using and then disposing of Styrofoam is that there are only a few right ways to do it. However, using these methods will mean that the resulting waste isn’t going to be immensely harmful to the environment as it otherwise would be.
Start by putting the material in the trash
As a waste clearance London company, we can’t stress this enough because it is the easiest thing to do. Even though this is obviously your last option, it is the easiest one. All you need is to drop it into a bin. But you will want to check with the local council if they pick up the bin. You can also put it in your own bin, which you know is removed and correctly disposed of by a waste collection company with a valid waste carrier licence like us.
Try Not To Accumulate Styrofoam Waste
Now if you order Styrofoam peanuts, for instance, a significant part of the packaging is made from Styrofoam (obviously). Large organizations often use these, mainly logistics service providers and moving companies.
However, once you are done with them (the waste), they can be reused to pack other items. Remember that other companies may need it too.
If you are a homeowner with a large carton filled with Styrofoam peanuts, give it to a packing company where it will be reused instead of thrown away.
Give Styrofoam to Day-care Facilities and Schools
Every school or day care center in London has arts and crafts classes. Kids use Styrofoam to express their creativity; thus, if you donate it to the school, they can make good use of it. Styrofoam is used to make everything from paintings to jewelry and even vases, which is better than in a landfill.
Many schools in London will accept used food and drink containers. But you must ensure it is clean and dry before donating it.
Use Recyclable Styrofoam
In most instances, it is possible to recycle Styrofoam but your nearest recycling center may not accept it. That said it shouldn’t be dumped into household waste that contains otherwise material destined for recycling. Many local recycling plants will reject Styrofoam because of its poor density, mainly because it is tricky at best.
There are few neighborhood recycling organizations with the specialized equipment needed to compress the Styrofoam that’s deposed into denser materials.
If you want to find the nearest Styrofoam drop-off point, go to Earth911.com, enter the term “polystyrene,” and then your postal code. The website will show all the centers that deal with it in London and near you.
Styrofoam is considered hazardous. That is why it is so essential that the proper disposal strategy be used to recycle and then prevent it from entering landfills. If you ever want to dispose of Styrofoam-like building waste, we can help you. As waste clearance experts in London, we dispose of Styrofoam regularly and can help you dispose of it correctly.
FAQs About Styrofoam Disposal
Q. Is it possible to repurpose Styrofoam or reuse it?
A. Yes, Styrofoam can be reused or repurposed for various DIY projects, such as creating insulation for planters or making a DIY floating dock.
Q. How to correctly dispose of Styrofoam waste?
A. Styrofoam can be recycled, dropped off at a designated collection site, or disposed of with regular trash. Your local waste management facility will help you find the right options available near you.
Q. Can’t Styrofoam be recyclable?
A. Yes, Styrofoam is recyclable, but not all recycling facilities accept it. You will want to check with your local recycling program to see if they take Styrofoam and their guidelines for recycling it.
Q. What are some alternatives to Styrofoam?
A. There are quite a few environmentally friendly alternatives to expanded polystyrene, such as paper-based materials, biodegradable plastics, and reusable containers.