Polystyrene recycling service operating at near capacity

The polystyrene recycling service in Dunedin is almost too popular.

The material has been carted from the Green Island transfer station to Cromwell weekly since April, after starting as a monthly service, but the system is running at near capacity.

Insulation manufacturer Expol could not accept polystyrene delivery to its Central Otago site more frequently than weekly, Dunedin City Council waste and environmental solutions group manager Chris Henderson told councillors this week.

‘‘They can’t actually process any more than we’re giving them.

‘‘There just basically isn’t any real capacity left in that recycling system.’’

The Otago Daily Times sought clarity on what people should do if they received gifts with polystyrene packaging for Christmas or shopped online.

‘‘The collection service has enough capacity to accept a short-term increase in household quantities of polystyrene,’’ Mr Henderson said.

‘‘Weekly collection is currently sufficient to prevent polystyrene from having to be stockpiled, but capacity for further expansion is limited.’’

The council wanted to keep the collection as a service for residents, preferring to avoid commercial use, he said.

Mitre 10 Mega in Dunedin also collects polystyrene from customers.

The council used a Ministry for the Environment levy to fund transport of the polystyrene from Dunedin to Cromwell, Mr Henderson said.

Each trip costs $352.