Polystyrene Recycling Alliance and Brave Industries Partner to Expand U.S. Polystyrene Recovery

According to reports from the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance (PSRA), the organization has entered a strategic collaboration with Brave Industries to expand the collection and recycling of polystyrene across Denver, Colorado, and Baltimore, Maryland—two markets widely viewed as early movers in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) implementation. It is understood that the agreement is designed as a scalable model that could later be replicated across the United States.

According to PSRA, the partnership will cover a full range of polystyrene materials, from rigid forms such as HIPS and GPPS to foam types including EPS and XPS. Both organizations aim to channel recovered materials into verified end markets committed to the responsible use of recycled resin in new products. People familiar with the initiative noted that this marks one of the most coordinated attempts to redirect diverse polystyrene formats away from landfills and into a functioning circular economy.

It is reported that PSRA will allocate grants to strengthen Brave Industries’ collection capabilities in the two launch cities. The financial support will help the company upgrade and expand its infrastructure for municipal and commercial recovery, enabling the capture of more material streams. With Brave’s existing processing network spanning eight U.S. states, industry observers say the partnership is poised for broader expansion once early-stage operations demonstrate stable market demand.

In a brief comment, PSRA Chair Richard Shaw said the collaboration represents a big step toward making polystyrene widely recyclable. Brave Industries Co-Founder Adam Hill added that current systems already show that “scalable solutions already exist—ones that allow us to recycle more types of polystyrene and deliver recycled resins to responsible end markets across the states where we operate.”

Analysts say the initiative reflects a broader shift in North America’s recycling landscape. While polystyrene has long been hampered by inconsistent municipal acceptance and persistent misconceptions regarding recyclability, new regulatory momentum—particularly through EPR legislation—is compelling producers and recyclers to invest in more efficient and verifiable recovery systems. According to industry sources, partnerships combining infrastructure, grants, and market-driven demand are increasingly viewed as pragmatic alternatives to waiting for nationwide regulatory alignment.

As the Denver and Baltimore pilots move forward, industry observers believe the program could become a practical reference point for shaping regional and national strategies for polystyrene recycling. If successful, it may help reduce landfill volumes, support recycled-content requirements, and address supply gaps in post-consumer plastics.

Source: Polystyrene Recycling Alliance

SUNSHINE Spotlight: The collaboration showcases how coordinated industry action can shift polystyrene from a misunderstood material into a viable circular resource.