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.
The main types of typically used in packaging can be recycled. This includes:
Polyethylene foam includes Stratocell, Ethafoam, and Plastazote materials. Also commonly known as EPE (expanded polyethylene), this foam is popular for transit packaging applications. Polyethyelene foam is recyclable at specialist facilities, where it is melted with heat and turned into pellets for use in new materials.
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 to a powder or shredding it into strips before being bonded into a new material.
We do not use Polystyrene foam at Suttons Performance Packaging (as it only protects against a single drop), but it can be recycled. Both EPS (expanded polystyrene) and XPS (extruded polystyrene) can be recycled at specialist facilities.
For our customers who generate significant amounts of waste foam material, we can collect it and include it in our own recycling process. Our waste carrier license and fleet of vehicles allow us to collect your foam following delivery of your packaging, bringing it to our site on the return journey. Alternatively, you can arrange delivery of material by prior agreement.
Please note that this service is only available to customers who generate specific volumes of foam waste. For further details, please speak with one of our advisors.
Alongside packaging testing, at Suttons Performance Packaging we can offer a wide range of additional services to benefit your business.
If you are interested in foam recycling for your business, please speak with a member of our team today. Our designers can also use their expertise to reduce foam materials in your pack and offer a range of recycled foam packaging. Get in touch to find out more.