Polystyrene Process

  1. 1

    Collected EPS in bags.

    Step 1

    Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is collected from Rehab Recycle customers using 1 and 2 cubic metre bags.

  2. 2

    Man sorting EPS material.

    Step 2

    The material is brought to Rehab Recycle's Navan plant where the EPS is sorted and all non-EPS material removed.

  3. 3

    EPS material being shredded.

    Step 3

    The EPS is then shredded and conveyed into a storage hopper.

  4. 4

    Shredded EPS.

    Step 4

    The shredded EPS is then forced under pressure through a range of heaters at 220 degrees centigrade. This process enables the air, which makes up 95% of the volume of EPS, to be removed from the material.

  5. 5

    Semi-molten EPS.

    Step 5

    The resultant material emerges from the machine in a semi-molten state (a semi-liquid state).

  6. 6

    Semi-molten EPS material drying in containers.

    Step 6

    The material is allowed to cool and is then readied for shipment in 23 tonne loads to manufacturers of clothes hangers, DVD cases, stationery items and other plastic products.