HIPS Plastic Recycling

• What is HIPS plastic?
• Is HIPS plastic recyclable?
• How is HIPS plastic recycled?
• Why is recycling HIPS plastic important?

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is a thermoplastic that’s mouldable when heated and solidifies when cooled. HIPS differs from general purpose polystyrene as it’s modified with rubber. This makes it more durable with a high impact strength/resistance and versatility. As it’s a type of polystyrene HIPS has recycling code 6.

Many products are manufactured from HIPS due to its flexibility. It becomes soft, pliable, and malleable when heated, then solidifies when cooled. The rubber content means HIPS can go through vacuum forming, and it also bends and moulds easily while retaining its durability. Once remoulded it won’t weaken and its amorphous properties mean HIPS can be painted.

HIPS plastic is fully recyclable. It can be recycled and turned into high impact polystyrene sheets that retain the same strength and consistency as new HIPS products. HIPS should be recycled separately from general purpose polystyrene – expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) – as it contains rubber.

You can store HIPS items with other plastic waste in the same bin though, as it will be separated for processing at the recycling centre anyway. Recycling HIPS plastic waste at home is more challenging. Not all local councils and authorities accept general polystyrene for recycling, so many don’t take HIPS.

Check whether your local authority allows plastic waste with recycling code 6 to be thrown away in your domestic recycling bin. If not, you can see if your nearby household waste recycling centre (HWRC) takes HIPS plastic for recycling. Otherwise, contact us at Business Waste to arrange a collection.

As a business, you must arrange commercial waste collection to get rid of any plastic waste you produce, including HIPS. You can store any type of HIPS plastic in the same bin as other plastic waste on your premises, as it’s sorted at the recycling centre before processing. Follow these steps to dispose of HIPS responsibly:

• Get a free no obligation quote for plastic waste collection. This is tailored to your needs – based on the number and size of bins you need, how often you want them collected, and where your business is in the UK.
• We deliver free bins to store all your plastic waste together – you only pay for collection. Put all your HIPS plastic and other waste plastic in these bins within any weight limits and max fill lines.
• Place the plastic waste bins at the agreed collection point ahead of the pickup time. Licensed waste carriers will come to remove and replace your plastic waste bins at the agreed time.
• They transport your plastic waste to a nearby waste management centre where it’s checked and sorted. All HIPS will be removed, cleaned, and sent for recycling separate from other types of plastic waste.
• We’ll provide a free duty of care certificate confirming the responsible, safe, and legal disposal of your HIPS and other plastic waste for added peace of mind.

To dispose of HIPS at home check if you can put plastic with recycling code 6 in your domestic recycling bin. Not all authorities and local councils accept HIPS plastic in their household waste recycling collections. If you can’t, see whether your local HWRC accepts HIPS waste for recycling.

Alternatively, contact Business Waste and we can help find a solution to dispose of your HIPS plastic responsibly even from your home.

Get a free no obligation quote for plastic waste collection that includes your HIPS plastic waste. We’ll provide a tailored quote based on the size and number of plastic waste bins you need, how often you want them collected, and where from in the UK.

Daily, weekly, and fortnightly collections are available. We also deliver free bins to store your waste plastic – you only pay for collection. Sizes range from two-wheel 120 litre to four-wheel 1100 litre wheelie bins. You’ll also receive a free duty of care for every load of plastic waste removed from your premises.