Milton Park is celebrating a recycling milestone as the Park’s polystyrene compactor prepares to send its first eight pallets of expanded polystyrene (EPS) for recycling.
The achievement follows more than a year of occupiers collecting and separating EPS packaging, helping divert a material that is rarely recycled locally and would otherwise be likely to end up in landfill or incineration.
While lightweight, EPS is notoriously difficult and inefficient to transport because it takes up so much space. In total, the compactor has processed around 880m³ of polystyrene, equivalent to approximately nine to 10 articulated lorry loads if transported uncompacted.
By compressing the material at a ratio of up to 50:1, the compactor dramatically reduces its volume, making transportation and recycling far more practical. As a result, fewer vehicle movements are needed, helping to reduce the environmental impact associated with transporting the material.
Building new recycling habits
The milestone reflects a growing commitment from Milton Park occupiers to recycle EPS packaging as part of their day-to-day operations.
Progress was gradual at first, with around 2.5 pallets collected during the scheme’s first year. However, participation has accelerated in recent months, with the total increasing to eight pallets as more businesses across the Park have embraced the initiative.
The growing uptake demonstrates how small changes in behaviour can collectively make a meaningful difference, helping reduce waste and supporting a more circular approach to resource management across Milton Park.
A collaborative success story
The project originated through discussions at Milton Park’s Greener Workplace Forum, which brings together occupiers and the Park team to explore practical ways of improving sustainability across the Park.
Recognising that polystyrene recycling presented a common challenge for many organisations, Forum members worked collaboratively to identify a solution that could benefit the wider occupier community.
The success of the scheme shows what can be achieved when businesses share ideas, tackle challenges together and take collective action to create positive change.
Get involved
The Polystyrene Mill is open to all Milton Park occupiers and offers a simple solution to a longstanding sustainability challenge.
If your organisation generates polystyrene packaging, recycling it is as easy as posting it through the flap on the compactor, located off Innovation Drive/ Olympic Avenue. This initiative is just one example of the practical ideas that have emerged from the Greener Workplace Forum. If you’re interested in sharing ideas, learning from other occupiers and helping shape future sustainability initiatives at Milton Park, we’d love to hear from you.
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