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Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) RecyclingNSW EPA & Australian Packaging Covenant Grants Program 2012-2013

Issues with EPSCAUSES LITTER PROBLEMS

TAKES UP LANDFILL SPACE

ONLY 10% RECYCLED IN NSW

PACKAGING USE INCREASING

EPS is not collected in kerbside recycling

3

>Why?> It’s bulky and

lightweight – would take up a lot of space in bins

> Is expensive to transport if uncompacted

> It can’t easily be sorted from other materials

NSW EPA Expanded Plastics grant program

4

19recipient

s

1,183Tonnes target

$933,000

Funding

How EPS is made

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Pellets of Polystyrene impregnated with pentane

STEAM

FORMING

1 2

3

Shapes of EPS

EPS balls

34 Products

How EPS is used

Short life packaging

How EPS is used

Building products and insulation

Recycling EPS

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EPS Collection or drop off

Cold compaction

Hot compaction & extrusion

Recycled EPS Pellets

Plant pots Picture frames Desk accessories

Products made from recycled PS pellets

What types of EPS for recycling?‘Grade A’ EPS is:>Clean>Dry>White>Unmarked>Has no physical

contamination

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Grade A EPS sells for a higher price than Grade B EPS.

What types of EPS for recycling‘Grade B’ EPS is>Dirty>Wet>Marked>Coloured>Physically contaminated

(stickers, staples etc.)

>Grade B EPS

Benefits of EPS Recycling

Saves bin space

Saves money

Reduces frequency of waste collection

Easy to separate

Benefits of EPS recycling to society

Conserves resources

Saves energy

Reduces litter

Saves landfill space (Photo Transpacific)

The amount of EPS sent to landfill each year in NSW would fill the SCG to a height of 125 metres

.

Sydney Cricket Ground (height approx 80 metres)

125m

85m

15

12,000 tonnes of EPS

Cold compacted EPS

3 metres highHot compacted

EPS1.4 metres high

Uncompacted EPS

125 metres high

> EPS sent to Landfill in NSW would fill the rugby playing field at ANZ Stadium to a height of 110 metres16

.

Rugby playing field (ANZ Stadium)

110 m

50 m

For further information>For more

information about EPS Recycling in the XXX area, contact:Name: ZZZPhone PPPEmail: YYY