MoreThanWaste.com - New calculations raise recycled polystyrene's environmental credentials (22/04/2008)

"Based on these revised figures, our total CO2 generation is about 202 kg of CO2 per tonne produced. This compares to an estimate by Plastics Europe of 3,400 kg of CO2 per tonne of virgin high-impact polystyrene (HIPS)"

Keith Freegard, Axion’s Technical Director

Salford, England, UK: Plastic recycler Axion Recycling said recently that new calculations show its recycled material has about 6% of the global warming impact of virgin polystyrene which is significantly better than previously thought.

The company says that this finding strengthens the argument for greater use of recyclate in new plastics.

An added benefit is that manufacturers can develop products to attract ‘eco-conscious’ consumers, according to the company’s Axion Polymers processing division.

Axion came to its conclusion on the global warming impact using updated information from DEFRA on CO2 emissions in the UK and better data from its own Salford WEEE plant's power consumption at full output.

The £3 million advanced WEEE plant produces high-quality branded polymers from waste fridge, television and electrical appliance plastics, according to the company. Axion supplies its Axpoly-branded recycled polymers to UK and European-based companies for use in various sheet-extruded and injection-moulded new products.

Keith Freegard, Axion’s Technical Director said:

“Based on these revised figures, our total CO2 generation is about 202 kg of CO2 per tonne produced. This compares to an estimate by Plastics Europe of 3,400 kg of CO2 per tonne of virgin high-impact polystyrene (HIPS).

“This is significantly better than we previously thought. Our earlier figures had shown a 90% saving on CO2 producing one tonne of mechanically recycled material compared to that of virgin polymer, but now savings are around 94%.

Mr. Freegard continued:

“Based on our recent power consumption figure, this new data indicates that the CO2 impact of mechanical recycling is in fact less than we originally thought. For polystyrene, which is the most representative of polymers to compare with our recycled blend, we are showing that mechanical recycling is only about 6% of the CO2 impact of virgin material.”

Further information

More information on Axion Polymers can be found on the company's website.


	New calculations raise recycled polystyrene's environmental credentials (22/04/2008) "Based on these revised figures, our total CO2 generation is about 202 kg of CO2 per tonne produced. This compares to an estimate by Plastics Europe of 3,400 kg of CO2 per tonne of virgin high-impact polystyrene (HIPS)" Keith Freegard, Axion’s Technical Director Salford, England, UK: Plastic recycler Axion Recycling said recently that new calculations show its recycled material has about 6% of the global warming impact of virgin polystyrene which is significantly better than previously thought. The company says that this finding strengthens the argument for greater use of recyclate in new plastics. An added benefit is that manufacturers can develop products to attract ‘eco-conscious’ consumers, according to the company’s Axion Polymers processing division. Axion came to its conclusion on the global warming impact using updated information from DEFRA on CO2 emissions in the UK and better data from its own Salford WEEE plant's power consumption at full output. The £3 million advanced WEEE plant produces high-quality branded polymers from waste fridge, television and electrical appliance plastics, according to the company. Axion supplies its Axpoly-branded recycled polymers to UK and European-based companies for use in various sheet-extruded and injection-moulded new products. Keith Freegard, Axion’s Technical Director said: “Based on these revised figures, our total CO2 generation is about 202 kg of CO2 per tonne produced. This compares to an estimate by Plastics Europe of 3,400 kg of CO2 per tonne of virgin high-impact polystyrene (HIPS). “This is significantly better than we previously thought. Our earlier figures had shown a 90% saving on CO2 producing one tonne of mechanically recycled material compared to that of virgin polymer, but now savings are around 94%. Mr. Freegard continued: “Based on our recent power consumption figure, this new data indicates that the CO2 impact of mechanical recycling is in fact less than we originally thought. For polystyrene, which is the most representative of polymers to compare with our recycled blend, we are showing that mechanical recycling is only about 6% of the CO2 impact of virgin material.” Further information More information on Axion Polymers can be found on the company's website.