Can Polystyrene Be Recycled?

Polystyrene, a versatile plastic, finds its way into various applications such as children's toys, gardening tools, consumer electronics, household appliances, and notably, bean bag stuffing. Yet, the pressing question remains: can polystyrene be recycled? Let's delve into this topic.

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Can Superworms Digest Styrofoam?

Commonly, it is believed that plastic is an indestructible material that remains in the environment indefinitely because nature lacks the mechanisms to process or extract energy from it. However, recent studies challenge this notion. Research has revealed that certain scavenger larvae can degrade polystyrene, converting it into harmless substances. This potential solution to the global plastic crisis is indeed promising. A study published in Science of the Total Environment discovered that larvae from a beetle species, Zophobas atratus, could consume styrofoam exclusively. The bacteria in their gut break down polystyrene, turning it into minerals, energy, and carbon dioxide. This builds on prior findings which showed mealworms also had the ability to digest plastic.

Implications for the Manufacturing Sector

The discovery that these superworms can digest polystyrene-based materials is excellent news for manufacturers of plastic-containing products. As one of the most commonly used plastics worldwide, polystyrene poses a significant risk to both industrial and consumer environments. The existence of worms that house bacteria capable of decomposing this material is of vital ecological importance. This revelation expands the scope of biodegradable plastics, offering hope for the environment and manufacturers alike. The ability of Zophobas atratus to break down polystyrene is rooted in the worm's evolutionary history. In ancient times, these worms evolved to digest wood components, which are structurally complex and challenging to break down. This evolutionary trait has enabled modern worms to manage synthetic materials like polystyrene.

Mechanism of Polystyrene Digestion by Superworms

A research team at the School of Life Science at the Beijing Institute of Technology found in 2015 that Tenebrio Molitor beetle larvae could degrade styrofoam due to gut bacteria with plastic-degrading enzymes. However, because these mealworms were small, the degradation rate was slow. To find more efficient degraders, the researchers turned to the larger Zophobas atratus, setting up an experiment where these superworms were fed solely on styrofoam. The worms demonstrated a better efficiency at degrading polystyrene compared to the smaller mealworms.

The Scientific Experiment Unveiled

This experiment highlighted that superworms could consume significantly more polystyrene daily than the mealworms studied earlier. Estimations showed each worm could process about 0.58 mg of polystyrene in 24 hours, approximately four times the amount handled by Tenebrio Molitor. The worms converted 36.7% of the polystyrene into carbon dioxide, and further scientific analysis confirmed that gut bacteria played a pivotal role in breaking down the polystyrene. When these bacteria were eliminated through antibiotics, the worms lost their capacity to derive energy from the plastic.

Future Plans

The aim is now to harness these bacteria for broader applications, including inserting them into other insects or using them in specialized recycling facilities. Superworms have a limited adaptation in nature, so researchers are exploring other species to carry the plastic-digesting bacteria. Another prospect is isolating specific bacterial enzymes for industrial-scale plastic recycling. Federica Bertocchini, a biologist at the Margarita Salas Center for Biological Research in Madrid, noted that this discovery makes finding efficient plastic-degrading enzymes more probable, ultimately adding a valuable tool to the biotechnology toolkit.

Health Impact on Worms

Remarkably, worms that consume polystyrene maintain health levels comparable to those on a natural diet. Dr. Anja Malawi Brandon from Stanford University, although not part of the Beijing study, found that mealworms fed with flame retardant-laden styrofoam were equally healthy as their naturally-fed counterparts. Intriguingly, shrimp consuming these mealworm byproducts also showed no bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals. While it is unclear whether bacteria are evolving to digest plastics or have always possessed this capability, the presence of plastic-degrading enzymes within bacteria highlights nature's inherent potential to manage plastic waste.

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Process and Challenges of Recycling Polystyrene

Recycling polystyrene is indeed possible, albeit with several hurdles. In many regions, it is not collected through regular curbside recycling programs due to the high cost and logistical challenges of establishing recycling infrastructure for styrofoam. The lightweight and bulky nature of styrofoam also complicates its collection. The recycling process involves granulation, compacting, and densification. Initially, the waste polystyrene is fed into a granulator that breaks it into small beads, which are then mixed with fresh granules of polystyrene. The compacting step involves compressing these beads into dense bales. Finally, a densifying machine heats and compresses the material into a solid block, which can be shredded to produce reusable polystyrene pellets.

Densification Process

Densification entails feeding expanded polystyrene through a foam densifying machine that applies significant heat and pressure to form a paste, which cools into a solid block devoid of air. These blocks are then shredded into pellets for various new applications. Recycled polystyrene finds use in packaging, refrigerator compartments, toys, foam products, and cups. Additionally, it is increasingly utilized in manufacturing plastic furniture and construction materials like fence panels and roofing tiles. Despite these advancements, local authority collection and processing of polystyrene remain challenging, limiting its broader recycling potential. Most guidance therefore advises disposing of polystyrene in general waste bins.

The Logistics Challenge

The primary obstacles in processing polystyrene stem from logistical and economic challenges. Its bulkiness renders it difficult to collect and transport. Processing machinery is costly, particularly if the material contains chemical contaminants like flame retardants, which must be removed prior to recycling. Businesses, however, tend to manage polystyrene recycling more effectively than public entities. Retail businesses collect and send uncontaminated polystyrene in large quantities to recycling facilities. Ultimately, the industry seeks to eliminate the need for recycling altogether through biodegradation facilitated by bacteria and enzymes.

Conclusion

The discovery that superworms can break down polystyrene is encouraging, reflecting the challenges involved in recycling this material. Global production of polystyrene reached approximately 359 million tonnes in 2018, with only about 33 million tonnes recycled. The material's macromolecular structure makes it difficult to decompose naturally or artificially, resulting in its accumulation in the environment. Nonetheless, emerging research and technology indicate that more species are adapting to consume plastic as a food source. Zophobas atratus represents only the latest organism shown to metabolize plastic, offering hope for future environmental management strategies. With advancements, there may be potential to insert plastic-degrading bacteria into other species or employ them in industrial processing, thereby transforming plastic waste into harmless byproducts naturally.

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