If you’ve ever unpacked a parcel and been left with big chunks of polystyrene, you’ll know how frustrating it can be. It’s bulky, messy, and it never seems to disappear. The problem is, polystyrene doesn’t break down easily – it can sit in landfill for hundreds of years, taking up space and harming the environment.
There are plenty of clever, creative and eco-friendly ways to keep polystyrene out of the bin. Whether you’re at home, running a small business, or just trying to live a little greener, here are 10 practical ways to reuse polystyrene in the UK.
1. Use As Raised Beds For A Patio
Large, deep moulded polystyrene pieces – such as the packaging from big-box appliances or the boxes used at fish markets – can be repurposed into excellent DIY raised beds for the garden. Many of them already have drainage holes from the manufacturing process, but if not, you can carefully make your own with a craft knife.
Simply build the border of your raised flower bed with some sleepers or other wood, throw as much polystyrene in there as you have, then fill the rest with topsoil. You’ll save plenty of money on soil costs and once topped with some beautiful bee-friendly wildflowers – you wouldn’t know the difference anyway!
2. Make Your Own Superglue
Did you know you can turn waste polystyrene into a surprisingly strong household glue?
All you need are pieces of polystyrene and orange peel oil, also known as d-limonene. The natural solvent in the oil gradually dissolves the polystyrene, breaking it down into a thick, sticky paste. The result is a homemade adhesive that works remarkably well for permanent bonds – while also giving a second life to materials that might otherwise end up in the bin. The paste you make is much closer to commercial superglue in strength than to a washable craft glue. It can permanently repair household items like ceramics, plastics, or even shoes – but it’s not safe for kids’ craft projects because of the strong solvent and the mess.
Warning – Take as much care when handling your homemade superglue as you would when working with the bought stuff. Old clothes, gloves and facemask recommended!
3. Reuse It As Packing Material
Before you throw it away, think about the times you need to send a parcel. Polystyrene is brilliant for cushioning fragile items. Keep a bag of polystyrene chunks in the cupboard from your previous deliveries, and when you need to post something delicate, you’ll have free packaging to hand.
4. Ask Local Shops Or Shipping Companies
Small packaging shops or courier depots often welcome clean polystyrene because it saves them money on supplies. A quick phone call to ask if they’d like it is all it takes.
Big companies already do this. Currys has an in-store drop-off for expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging from TVs, and their delivery drivers also take back EPS from customers when delivering white goods. Likewise, John Lewis has a scheme where EPS from its white-goods packaging is collected via its delivery service and depots for recycling.
It’s a win–win. Less waste for you, free resources for them.
5. Get Creative With Crafts
Polystyrene is surprisingly versatile. You can cut it, paint it, or carve it into shapes, making it great for school projects, model building, or even festive decorations. Just be sure to use safe, non-toxic paints and adhesives, especially if children are involved.
6. Use It as Insulation In DIY Projects (With Caution)
Polystyrene is highly flammable unless treated with a flame retardant, so it should never be used as insulation in bedrooms or the main living areas of a house.
That said, it can be very useful elsewhere. It works brilliantly for blocking out a frosty garage window in winter, or for adding an extra layer of insulation to a greenhouse. Some inventive reusers have even repurposed waste polystyrene as part of the roof on an outdoor bathroom!
Here are some other solutions:
- Line plant pots to keep roots warm in winter
- Add insulation to pet shelters or outdoor storage boxes
- Use sheets of polystyrene as backing when doing messy DIY jobs
It’s lightweight, easy to cut, and keeps the chill out.
7. Mix It Into Potting Compost For Better Drainage
Gardeners often buy perlite or vermiculite to help with soil aeration. But broken-up polystyrene works in a similar way – especially in pots and containers. Crush it into small pieces, mix it through your compost, and you’ll notice your plants draining better. Just make sure the polystyrene is clean and hasn’t been contaminated with food or dirt.
8. Donate To Schools, Clubs Or Art Groups
Schools and community groups are often on the lookout for cheap materials for art and craft projects. Ask around locally – your unwanted polystyrene might end up as part of a theatre set, a model village, or a fun children’s workshop instead of sitting in the bin.
9. Repurpose It For Outdoor Adventures
Because it’s lightweight and insulating, polystyrene is handy to keep around for camping or garden use. You can:
- Make a simple cool box for picnics
- Add padding to camping chairs or mats
- Use chunks as kneeling pads when gardening
It’s not glamorous, but it’s practical – and it saves money by reducing the need to buy purpose-made items. Instead of purchasing picnic coolers, extra cushions, or kneeling mats, you can give discarded polystyrene a second life. It’s a way of getting the same function for free while keeping useful material out of the bin.
10. Support Innovative Recycling Solutions
The recycling industry is evolving, and some companies are now transforming polystyrene into building materials, picture frames, or even energy sources. While these schemes aren’t everywhere yet, it’s worth keeping an eye out and supporting them when you can. Choosing businesses that recycle polystyrene responsibly also sends a clear message that there’s demand for greener solutions.
For example, the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) now accepts expanded polystyrene at several of its reuse and recycling centres, turning it into useful products like insulation panels. If you’re unsure whether EPS is recycled in your area, the British Plastics Federation’s EPS Recyclers Map is a good place to start.
Why Repurposing Polystyrene Matters
Polystyrene gets a bad reputation – and rightly so, because for decades it’s filled our homes and ended up in our rubbish bins, incapable of being recycled. The majority of it ends up in landfills or incineration facilities. From reusing it at home to finding specialist schemes to deal with the waste, there are plenty of ways to give it a second life.
Next time you’re staring at a pile of packaging, instead of sighing and binning it, – ask yourself if it could be useful again. Often, the answer is yes. Small choices like these make a big difference when lots of us do them.
Together, we can keep more polystyrene out of the rubbish and do our bit for a cleaner, greener UK.
