As a disposable packaging material, EPS is difficult to be biodegraded

Polystyrene foam (EPS) plastics have the advantages of low density, high specific strength, low water absorption, acid and alkali resistance, good heat and sound insulation, good heat insulation, shockproof, decorative, easy to mold, etc. Development is one of the most widely used plastics in the world today. EPS is widely used in household appliances, office machinery cushioning packaging materials, containers, and disposable tableware which can take such action as ps foam containers recycling.

As a disposable packaging material, EPS is difficult to be biodegraded due to its light weight, large volume, and resistance to corrosion. One of the major problems in handling has caused serious environmental pollution. According to the relevant policies of the country, in response to the unification of economic development and environmental protection, we must take the path of resource-saving development and sustainable development to recycle waste EPS.

The United States had pushed for biodegradable plastics in the 1980s, but it is now more active in organizing recycling to solve the problem of waste; the EU also requires member states to enact a law to recycle packaging waste, requiring a recovery rate of 50% to 65%. To achieve sustainable use. However, the recovery rate in our country is relatively low, and most of them are low-quality use (such as heat recovery). The molecular weight of EPS is seriously degraded and the product becomes brittle. The physical properties of new products cannot be achieved, and in particular, job packaging materials cannot be recycled.

The polystyrene recycling is the best way to reduce waste of resources, make rational use of energy and carry out environmental protection, and it is also one of the hot topics studied by countries in the world. To sum up, recycling of waste plastics includes three cycles: material recycling (physical recycling), chemical recycling (modified regeneration), and energy recycling (crack recovery and reuse). The current status of EPS recycling and recycling technology is summarized below.