FINAL WASTE PLAN 2023 - 2028 · Attachment 1: From Waste to Resource Waste Plan 2023-28

Attachment 04:
Polystyrene Recycling



In 2023, following the success of a six-month
trial, Noosa Council installed an Expanded
Polystyrene Thermal Compaction Unit at the
Landfill to address the issue of polystyrene
waste.

How it works?                                     Polystyrene ready for recycling
The thermal compaction unit operates by
heating and compressing used polystyrene
waste. This process reduces the size of
the waste by 90% and transforms it into
small solid bricks. These bricks can be
conveniently transported and used to create
new products, thereby reducing the demand
for new polystyrene materials.

Win-Win
Recycling polystyrene at the landfill, not
only saves landfill space but also prevents
harmful particles from entering the natural
environment. The installed unit can process
up to 1 tonne per day, correlating to 66m3
in volume of polystyrene. This is a positive
step towards reducing environmental
pollution and promoting sustainable
waste management practices. Once the
polystyrene has been recycled it can be sold
for $400-$600 per tonne.                          Recycled polystyrene ready for repurposing



From Waste to Resource | Waste Plan 2023 - 2028                                                36