West Midlands gets polystyrene foam recycling boost

A polystyrene foam collection centre has opened in the West Midlands, enabling local businesses and residents to drop off their foam for recycling free of charge.


Dart Products’ drop-off centre in Cradley Heath is one of the first public sites in the UK to accept polystyrene foam food service containers, including polystyrene foam cups, plates, take-out containers and egg cartons.

Dart will work with local company Alwin to reprocess the foam and sell it onto manufacturers where it will be turned to new products such as garden furniture and building insulation.

Polystyrene foam recycling is not always available through local authority collection and generally cannot be placed in a recycling bin because of its bulk.

Dart’s head of environmental affairs, Phil Pearson, said: “Polystyrene foam is an excellent packaging material and disposing of it in a landfill should be a last resort if possible.

“Businesses often have to pay to dispose of the bulk amounts of foam packaging they receive. The drop-off facility is completely free and open to the public seven days a week.”

Maxine Perella

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