Service and support

Foam recycling

If your business uses high volumes of specialist protective packaging, you have likely given consideration to foam recycling.

Foam recycling is the process of turning waste foam material, including packaging, into new material. It typically involves melting, grinding or shredding the material before reforming. Most packaging foams, including polyethylene, polyurethane and polystyrene, are recyclable. However, these materials are not currently accepted in UK kerbside collections.

At Suttons Performance Packaging, we have specialist equipment and agreements with several recycling partners so that we can recycle all of the foam waste from our production processes. However, we can also offer a foam recycling service for our customers who generate or collect large volumes of waste foam packaging.

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Foam conversion

What types of foam packaging can be recycled?

The main types of foam that are typically used in packaging and can be recycled include:

Polyethylene foam

Polyethylene foam includes Stratocell®, Ethafoam®, and Plastazote® materials. Also commonly known as EPE (expanded polyethylene), this foam is popular for transit packaging applications. Polyethylene foam is recyclable at specialist facilities, where it is melted with heat and turned into pellets for use in new materials.

Polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is often used for lower-cost packaging applications (including egg crate foam). It is popular for lining single-trip corrugated packaging. It is recycled by grinding it into a powder or shredding it into strips before being bonded into a new material.

Polystyrene foam

We do not use polystyrene foam at Suttons (as it only protects against a single drop), but i can be recycled. Both EPS (expanded polystyrene) and XPS (extruded polystyrene) can be recycled at specialist facilities.

Advantages

Benefits of our foam recycling service

Using our foam recycling service, your business could benefit from:

Reduce the number of materials that are sent to landfill.

Reduce your waste disposal costs.

Free up any valuable space by having waste collected.

Simplify your waste management processes.

Support your sustainability targets with a more responsible approach.

Improve on waste reporting with a clear recycling route for foam.

Make recycling easier with collections arranged around your requirements.

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FAQs

We can recycle common packaging foams including polyethylene foams such as Stratocell®, Ethafoam® and Plastazote®, as well as polyurethane foam. These materials are processed through specialist recycling facilities and converted into material that can be used again.

Yes, if your business generates sufficient volumes of waste foam packaging, we can arrange collection using our own vehicles. Where practical, we can collect waste foam following delivery of your new packaging, using return journeys to bring the material back to our site for recycling.

Collected foam is taken to our site and processed through our recycling arrangements with specialist partners. Depending on the type of foam, materials can be shredded, ground or melted and reformed into new material rather than being sent to general waste.

The service is designed for customers generating significant volumes of waste foam packaging. Collection and recycling arrangements depend on the type and quantity of material involved, so our team can advise whether your business is suitable for the service.

Competitive advantage

Why work with us?

Put simply, by working with us at Suttons Performance Packaging, you can expect a wealth of experience and benefits that directly impact the success of your operations:

Flexible volumes

We can support customers generating significant volumes of waste foam, with recycling arrangements tailored to your requirements.

Bespoke service

We can agree collection and recycling arrangements around the type and volume of foam waste your business generates.

Expert advice and support

Our experienced team can advice on the best recycling options for your foam waste and help you understand the requirements.

Industry knowledge

We have extensive experience working with businesses across the IT, medical, aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing sectors.

Responsible waste management

We provide a specialist recycling route for used foam packaging, helping you divert waste from generate disposal and reduce its environmental impact.

UK-wide collection

With our own delivery fleet and UK-wide warehousing network, we can collect waste foam from customers across the UK where the required volumes are met.

Quality assured

Our established recycling processes and specialist recycling partners ensure your foam waste is handled appropriately and consistently.

Dedicated support

Our product advisers, recycling partners and customer service team work together to support you from initial enquiry through to collection and recycling.

Wide range of options

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If your business needs protective packaging, we offer a range of cost-effective, stock or bespoke options that provide a tailored level of performance. Please get in touch to find out more and request a free quote.

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