PSPC's new website a virtual showcase of recycled polystyrene

"In the four years since we last launched our previous site, many more end-products and applications using recycled polystyrene have been developed," says Adri Spangenberg, director of PSPC. "Where initially our focus had to be on educating visitors to the site on technical aspects concerning Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), and convincing them of the product's value and recyclability, the new site can now take a few steps further.

"By focussing on case studies and successful projects that are diverting thousands of tons of recycled polystyrene from landfills, we are able to develop even more end-markets and applications using EPS," Spangenberg says.

Primary focus areas

The new website has been divided into the following four projects that echo the primary focus areas of the PSPC:

• Project Build - explaining how recycled expanded polystyrene is used successfully in building and construction projects, regardless of colour or grade.
  
• Project Décor - demonstrating how recycled expanded and high impact polystyrene are recycled into home décor accessories such as curtain rods, picture frames and mouldings.
  
• Project Beads - promoting the recycling of expanded polystyrene into beads used for crafts and other applications, including bean bags.
  
• Project Care - the PSPC's various projects that benefit charities and NGO's through the collection and recycling of breadtags made from high impact polystyrene like, yoghurt tubs for recycling into Tutu Desks and the Wonderbag project.

"We've begun fulfilling a facilitation role between suppliers and buyers of recycled polystyrene on our previous website. This worked very well as we were able to build a valuable network and grow the recycling markets. We will continue this role and have even expanded this function on the new website, by including contact details and links to the various service providers on each of the various projects that work closely with the PSPC," Spangenberg says.

Information simplified

The PSPS's on-line library of technical information has also been simplified, and sees the addition of various new video's to assist with the education and information processes. "The increasing use of YouTube videos during the past few years has helped to explain and simplify processes that previously sounded very hard to understand. With this knowledge comes power and a drive to make a difference through the simple act of recycling," Spangenberg says.

The new website has also been optimised for search engines and can be used as a portal to host of other related websites, both locally and internationally.

Spangenberg says they have already had very positive feedback from visitors to their site, and they will be tracking analytics closely to see visitor behaviour and search words. "With the overflow of information, people want to find information they are looking for quickly and easily. We are confident that the new website will be much easier to navigate and continue to be a valuable tool in our efforts to improve and increase polystyrene recycling in South Africa."