ALS Responsible Approach to Polystyrene Recycling

Importance of the Topic

Sorting plastic waste preserves material value and reduces environmental footprint.
Specifically, polystyrene shipping boxes at ALS laboratories represent a recyclable waste stream.
Clean and dry polystyrene can undergo material recycling to produce construction and insulation materials, lowering reliance on virgin oil-based feedstocks.

Objectives and Overview

This whitepaper outlines ALS’s responsible approach to polystyrene recycling, focusing on current practices at ALS Czech Republic and exploring future strategies for waste prevention and circular use.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Collection: Clean expanded polystyrene (EPS) boxes are sorted and stacked into large transport bags.
• Compaction: A screw press mechanically compresses EPS material up to fiftyfold in volume.
• Transport: Compacted bales are delivered to a specialized processing company for further recycling.

Instrumentation Used

• Screw press for high-efficiency mechanical compaction of expanded polystyrene.

Results and Discussion

• Daily collection can reach multiple cubic meters of EPS, amounting to approximately seven tonnes per year.
• Compacted blocks are suitable feedstock for producing construction materials, demonstrating an effective closed-loop recycling pathway.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Reduces landfill disposal and energy recovery losses by enabling true material recycling.
• Extends the life cycle of polystyrene products and decreases demand for virgin raw materials.
• Supports circular economy principles and aligns with modern environmental standards.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

ALS plans to collaborate with partners to replace disposable polystyrene boxes with durable, reusable cold boxes, further minimizing waste and promoting sustainable logistics.

Conclusion

The implemented polystyrene recycling workflow at ALS Czech Republic offers a scalable model for reducing plastic waste in laboratory operations and contributes to broader corporate sustainability goals.

References

• EnviroMail No. 26, April 2025, ALS Limited.