Polystyrene plates that have been used at parties often just get chucked, but washed they’re so useful for crafting. Try making some weatherproof bunting by cutting the bases of rescued polystyrene plates into small triangles and threading onto some garden twine.

9. Use thicker polystyrene to make a Perlite substitute

Perlite ensures better drainage and aeration for container grown plants and is also used for starting seedlings in a soil or soilless medium, but it can get expensive! Waste polystyrene is a practically free substitute that works almost as well.

For this you’ll need the tougher kind of polystyrene, such as the meat trays from certain old fashioned butchers. Thoroughly clean and cut them into rough 2cm squares with sharp scissors. Bung them into a blender with enough added water to float the squares near the top, and whizz them for around a minute. Draining will give you a Perlite substitute with a similar consistency to coarse sand.

Do you think manufacturers should stop using polystyrene? What are your favourite tips for reusing it? Share your thoughts with the community below or via social media.