Aeroboard is a widely-used material used for advertising, signage, and display boards. While it’s lightweight and easy to work with, there has been some debate regarding its recyclability. Aeroboard is typically made with polystyrene foam with either a paper or plastic coating on both sides.
Unfortunately, this layer makes recycling Aeroboard difficult as it can contaminate the polystyrene foam during recycling processes, and it is non-biodegradable – taking hundreds of years to decompose in landfills.
Despite these difficulties, there are still efforts to find ways to recycle Aeroboard.
Some companies have developed methods of turning Aeroboard into other products like insulation or picture frames.
Recycling Aeroboard waste may not be an economical option, but other disposal methods must be considered.
Donating or repurposing the material or properly disposing of it in a landfill are all viable options.
As consumers, we can reduce our Aeroboard waste by choosing alternative materials or finding ways to reuse them.
Challenges With Recycling Aeroboard
Coating
Recycling Aeroboard presents a major challenge due to the coating material used.
Aeroboard is often coated with paper or plastic layers which may contaminate the polystyrene foam during recycling.
This contamination can reduce the quality of the recycled material and make it difficult to use in new products.
Composition
Aeroboard is made up of polystyrene foam, which is not biodegradable and takes hundreds of years to decompose in landfills.
Thus, disposing of Aeroboard in landfills contributes to environmental pollution and harms natural ecosystems.
Volume
Aeroboard is typically bulky, making transportation and storage challenging and necessitating large amounts of landfill space.
Furthermore, its high volume makes recycling more challenging and could increase transportation costs.
Fragility
Aeroboard is lightweight and fragile, making it vulnerable to breakage during transportation or recycling.
This fragility may result in additional expenses when sorting and processing the material.
Limited Demand
Recycled Aeroboard has a limited demand due to the difficulties in recycling it and the availability of alternative materials.
This limited demand makes it difficult for recycling facilities to justify the expense of processing the material.
Cost
Recycling Aeroboard can be expensive, as the costs associated with transportation, sorting, and processing the material can be considerable.
This cost may be passed on to consumers, making recycled Aeroboard products more costly than alternative materials.
Collection
Aeroboard only has limited collection options and may not be accepted by all recycling facilities. This makes it difficult for consumers to dispose of the material responsibly, potentially leading to increased waste production.
Environmental Impact
Landfill disposal of Aeroboard can have negative environmental effects, such as the release of greenhouse gases during decomposition.
This contributes to climate change and damages natural ecosystems.
Alternative Disposal Methods For Aeroboard
Upcycling
Upcycling can be an alternative disposal method for Aeroboard. Upcycling involves repurposing waste materials into new products of higher quality and value.
Aeroboard can be upcycled into insulation boards, picture frames, and garden planters.
Incineration
Incineration involves burning Aeroboard at high temperatures to convert it into ash and gases. This process can help reduce the volume of the material and prevent it from being sent to landfills.
However, incineration releases harmful gases into the environment; thus, it should only be used as a last resort.
Depolymerization
Depolymerization involves breaking down polystyrene foam in Aeroboard into its constituent molecules.
This process can help create new products and reduce waste. Unfortunately, depolymerization is a complex and expensive process that is not widely available.
Landfill Biodegradation
Aeroboard can also be sent to a landfill with a biodegradation facility. These facilities use microorganisms to break down the polystyrene foam over time.
This process can take several years, but it helps reduce the volume of waste in landfills and can generate energy as a byproduct.
However, this method still contributes to environmental pollution and may take a long time to decompose completely.
Important Steps to Reduce Aeroboard Waste
Reuse
Reusing Aeroboard can be an effective way to reduce its environmental impact.
For instance, you can use it as insulation in your home or office, protective packaging material during shipping, or even as a base for artistic projects.
Choose Eco-Friendly Products
Look for products that use sustainable packaging materials, such as biodegradable or compostable materials, which can help reduce the amount of Aeroboard waste generated.
Utilize Alternative Materials
Consider using alternative packaging materials that are more easily recycled or biodegradable, such as cardboard or paper-based packaging.
Educate Others
Raise awareness about the environmental consequences of Aeroboard waste and motivate others to reduce their production.
Doing so can have a more significant effect and reduce overall waste generation.
Is Polystyrene A Recyclable Material?
The recycling process for polystyrene foam is a bit more complicated and involves breaking it down into small pieces and compacting it into denser blocks.
These blocks can then be used to make new products such as picture frames, rulers, and park benches.
While polystyrene recycling may not be as widely accessible or popular as other materials, it is still an important step towards reducing waste and promoting a more sustainable future.
By recycling polystyrene, we can give this material a new life and prevent it from ending up in landfills or polluting the environment.
Is Polystyrene A Biodegradable Waste?
Expanded polystyrene can take hundreds of years to break down, which makes it a significant source of waste and a cause for concern in terms of environmental impact.
When polystyrene is discarded, it can end up in landfills or oceans, taking up space and harming wildlife.
While polystyrene is not biodegradable, it is possible to recycle it. It’s important to note that recycling facilities don’t always accept polystyrene, so it’s crucial to check with your local facility to see if they accept it.
Additionally, it’s essential to ensure that the recycled polystyrene is clean and free of any contaminants, such as food or dirt, as this can affect the recycling process.
What Are The Constituents Of Polystyrene?
Polystyrene is a plastic polymer commonly used in packaging, insulation and consumer goods. It’s made from monomer styrene that comes from petroleum.
Styrene is first polymerized to create polystyrene resin, then processed into a solid thermoplastic material that can be molded into various shapes or extruded into sheets or films. Polystyrene’s cost-effectiveness, durability and insulation make it a popular material in many industries.
Unfortunately, its non-biodegradability and potential environmental impact have led to concerns about its widespread usage.
