Despite being labelled as “difficult to recycle plastic”, polystyrene recycling figures have continued to grow over the past eight years.
Last year alone, more than 5 000 tons of polystyrene were diverted from landfill and recycled into other products such as seedling trays, retail coat hangers, cutlery, furniture components and picture frames. “The applications and uses for recycled polystyrene continue to grow in South Africa thanks to the unique combination of a little bit of innovation, a lot of hard work and the can-do attitude of entrepreneurs who see possibility and opportunity in the unlikeliest of places,” confirms Adri Spangenberg, Chief Executive Officer of the Polystyrene Association of South Africa.Seizing the moment
One collector, who is doing exactly that and is reaping the benefits of the growing demand for polystyrene, is AJ Polycycling. Owned and managed by Deena and Joelene Moodley, this Centurion-based business has extensive experience and a passion for plastics recycling, but has recently decided to shift its focus to polystyrene recycling.Although they initially focused their efforts on recycling Polypropylene and HDPE plastics, the couple noticed an opportunity to supply polystyrene to customers who were manufacturing picture frames from recycled polystyrene in 2016.
Today, they supply material to customers in the greater Gauteng area covering areas such as Pretoria North, Pretoria East, Johannesburg East, Johannesburg South and Johannesburg North.
