How should I break this material down?

euser1984

I will have these boxes regularly and I don't have that much space in the bin.

Is there a way to break them down without sending bits all over the place....

Thanks....


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bonzodog2

You could break it in the bin, or in a big binbag perhaps

euser1984

yeah breaking them in the bin sounds like a good idea alright...I was wondering if there might be away to get it to shrivel up or makes all the white balls or whatever compress.....there's probably lots of air in there or something?

coylemj

Unless I'm mistaken, that is polystyrene which some recycling centres will take. In a domestic environment the problem is the bulk rather than the weight - it can fill your wheelie bin so you're paying for the lift even though the weight is negligible.

If you're on the southside of Dublin, the recycling centres in Glasthule (Eden Park) and Shanganagh (beside the cemetery) will take white polystyrene for free, Ballyogan will take it but you have to pay.

slimjimmc

Just had a look on the Repak site. Only 45 out of over 1800 public recycling facilities nationwide accept white polystyrene.:(

coylemj

slimjimmc wrote: »

Just had a look on the Repak site. Only 45 out of over 1800 public recycling facilities nationwide accept white polystyrene.:(

And it would be well worth your while checking out the exact situation on your local authority website because while that Repak website correctly states that all three DLR co co recycling centres will take white polystyrene, it fails to point out that you have to pay for the privilege in Ballyogan. You're also more likely to get up to date info - not too long ago Shanganagh was the only location in the DLR co co area which took white polystyrene.

slimjimmc

coylemj wrote: »

And it would be well worth your while checking out the exact situation on your local authority website because while that Repak website correctly states that all three DLR co co recycling centres will take white polystyrene, it fails to point out that you have to pay for the privilege in Ballyogan. You're also more likely to get up to date info - not too long ago Shanganagh was the only location in the DLR co co area which took white polystyrene.

The DLR website says polystyrene is free at Ballyogan.
http://www.dlrcoco.ie/media/media,11805,en.pdf May 2015

coylemj

slimjimmc wrote: »

The DLR website says polystyrene is free at Ballyogan.
http://www.dlrcoco.ie/media/media,11805,en.pdf May 2015

Indeed it does - wasn't I right to suggest you need to check the local authority website for the up to date info? Doh!

I thought I had the up to date version of that PDF file, in fact I see now it's dated July 2014 when Ballyogan was charging to take polystyrene.

stoneill

If you have lots of these then you can use a bucket of acetone and dissolve them.
You can get 5 ltr bottles of acetone in various hardware stores.
Wear gloves, safety glasses and do it in a well ventilated area or outside if possible.

red sean

stoneill wrote: »

If you have lots of these then you can use a bucket of acetone and dissolve them.
You can get 5 ltr bottles of acetone in various hardware stores.
Wear gloves, safety glasses and do it in a well ventilated area or outside if possible.

What are you left with then and how do you dispose of that?

JoeySully

do you have a garden shredder ?

Calahonda52

euser1984 wrote: »

I will have these boxes regularly and I don't have that much space in the bin.

Is there a way to break them down without sending bits all over the place....

Thanks....


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will the supplier not take them back?

The acetone suggestion above is beyond comprehension.

minibear

Maybe you could contact some local animal rescue centres. I reckon they would make great beds for cats or dogs for the winter.

bagels

minibear wrote: »

Maybe you could contact some local animal rescue centres. I reckon they would make great beds for cats or dogs for the winter.

Well said.
Rescues that specialise in TNR (trap, neuter and release) of feral cats can make great use of these containers as accommodation for the ferals.
Some local Mens Shed might even enclose them with timber to make them even more weather proof.
Please look into this before disposing of what could make vulnerable creatures lives a little bit comfortable.