GREEN BUILDING
Making concrete bricks out of recycled polystyrene More than 50 000 tonnes of raw material virgin polystyrene is impor ted into South Africa ever y year. The versatility of polystyrene enables it to be manufactured into many products, ranging from food packaging to insulation in cooler rooms and even hangers. By Nombulelo Manyana
O
ver 5 000 tonnes of polystyrene was recycled in South Africa last year, some of which is used in building and construction innovations such as lightweight concrete. This figure is significant keeping in mind that virtually no separation at source is available to consumers in South Africa. Although there is a long way to go, a large demand for material drives recycling initiatives. The Polystyrene Association of South Africa (PolySA) represents the entire value chain of the country’s polystyrene industry, including raw material suppliers, manufacturers of expanded polystyrene and high-impact polystyrene, recyclers and retailers.
Envirolite recently won Silver in the Inclusive category at the SAPRO 2018 awards, “for the substantial volumes of post-consumer polystyrene trays and cups recycled into a durable product with improved properties over its alternative concrete variants.” 32
FEBRUARY 2020
|
ReSource
PolySA has been supporting lightweight concrete projects since 2012 and has seen the market experience tremendous growth over the past six years. One of the fastest growing markets for recycled polystyrene is lightweight concrete blocks and screeds, made from an aggregate mixed with cement and additives, which are insulated, soundproof, fireproof and water-resistant. Envirolite Concrete, an associate member of PolySA, was formed in 2018 after more than six years of developing its lightweight recycled polystyrene concrete blocks and screeds. One of the largest suppliers of such innovative alternative building products to the South African construction industry, the company produces a unique lightweight
