POLYSTYRENE RECYCLING TRIAL TO COMMENCE FOR WELLINGTON
Dubbo Regional Council’s (DRC) Polystyrene Recycling Trial will commence for Wellington Waste Facility and the village transfer stations on Thursday 23 November 2023.
The trial will allow customers in Wellington and the villages to drop off their polystyrene waste in the Foam Muncher bin at the sites. The polystyrene must be clean and free of any tape or other materials.
The polystyrene collected will then be transferred to the Whylandra Waste and Recycling Station where a Foam Muncher vehicle comes onsite and melts the polystyrene into blocks. These blocks are then transported to manufacturers to turn into a variety of new products, such as skirting boards, flooring, picture frames and railway sleepers.
The Polystyrene Recycling Program is now a permeant fixture at Whylandra Waste and Recycling Centre in Dubbo after a successful trial earlier this year.
“We were really happy with the results from the trial at the Whylandra Waste and Recycling Centre which is now continuing the recycling program. We are excited to be able to further expand the trail to both Wellington and the village transfer stations and increase the opportunity to recycle this material,” said Manager Resource Recovery and Efficiency Jamie Lobb.
“This expansion of the polystyrene trial is part of Dubbo Regional Council’s work to reach the goal of 80 per cent waste to landfill diversion by 2030.”
Under the 2040 Community Strategic Plan, Council is committed to reducing our environmental footprint and impact on the environment through waste management processes.
Polystyrene is a type of plastic that is made from oil, which is a non-renewable resource. Despite 98 per cent of the plastic packaging being air, polystyrene takes up large amounts of space in landfills where it can easily be blown away and enter and harm our natural environment.
Over 71,000 tonnes of polystyrene is produced and used each year in Australia, with 85 per cent of the product going to landfills.
The Polystyrene Recycling Trial will be operate for three months and then will be assessed to determine potential for continuation at Wellington and the transfer stations.
Last Edited: 22 Nov 2023