Editing Polystyrene (section)

===Recycling===
[[File:Symbol_Resin_Code_6_PS.svg|class=skin-invert-image|thumb|90px|The [[resin identification code]] symbol for polystyrene<!--The [[Unicode]] character is U+2678, which will appear here if you have a suitable font installed: <span style="font-size:250%;">♸</span>.-->]]

In general, polystyrene is not accepted in [[curbside collection]] recycling programs and is not separated and recycled where it is accepted. In Germany, polystyrene is collected as a consequence of the packaging law (Verpackungsverordnung) that requires manufacturers to take responsibility for recycling or disposing of any packaging material they sell.

Most polystyrene products are currently not recycled due to the lack of incentive to invest in the compactors and logistical systems required. Due to the low density of polystyrene foam, it is not economical to collect. However, if the waste material goes through an initial compaction process, the material changes density from typically 30&nbsp;kg/m<sup>3</sup> to 330&nbsp;kg/m<sup>3</sup> and becomes a recyclable commodity of high value for producers of recycled plastic pellets. Expanded polystyrene scrap can be easily added to products such as EPS insulation sheets and other EPS materials for construction applications; many manufacturers cannot obtain sufficient scrap because of collection issues. When it is not used to make more EPS, foam scrap can be turned into products such as clothes hangers, park benches, flower pots, toys, rulers, stapler bodies, seedling containers, picture frames, and architectural molding from recycled PS.<ref>https://expandedpoly.co.uk/environment/ Polystyrene recycling. Retrieved 17 October 2019.</ref> As of 2016, around 100 tonnes of EPS are recycled every month in the UK.<ref>[http://ecclestons.com/expanded-polystyrene-recycling.htm EPS recycling.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122023542/https://ecclestons.com/index.php?page=expanded-polystyrene-recycling.htm |date=22 November 2020 }} Eccleston & Hart Polystrene. Retrieved 21 July 2016.</ref>

Recycled EPS is also used in many metal casting operations. [[Rastra]] is made from EPS that is combined with cement to be used as an insulating amendment in the making of concrete foundations and walls. American manufacturers have produced insulating concrete forms made with approximately 80% recycled EPS since 1993.