Advancing Reuse and Achieving Reductions on Reliance of Waste to Energy Disposal and Maintaining our Zero Landfill Commitment

Case Study Springvale EPS Ltd

About Us

Springvale EPS Ltd (Springvale) is the UK’s leading manufacturer of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS).

For over 50 years, we have supplied premium, high performance EPS products into the house building, construction, caravan, and other industries.

Our commitment to manufacturing excellence, technical expertise, and outstanding customer service has always been at the heart of our growth. Sustainability and responsibility are key pillars of how we operate, and our approach to reuse and zero to landfill reflects our commitment.

We are proud members of the British Plastics Federation (BPF), actively engaging with the wider plastics industry and benefiting from the resources, guidance, and collaborative opportunities the BPF provides. This partnership supports our continuous improvement and reinforces our leadership in responsible EPS manufacturing.

Where we are now

At Springvale EPS Ltd (Springvale), sustainability is more than a responsibility – it is a defining principle. Our zero to landfill commitment includes ensuring that our incoming packaging materials, particularly pallets and octabins used for the delivery of our raw materials, are diverted from disposal through dedicated reuse partnerships. These items, while not part of our core manufacturing process, are treated as valuable resources. We prioritise reuse to minimise environmental impact and support circularity.

The Challenge

Incoming raw materials generate significant volumes of packaging, which presents logistical, environmental, and cost challenges:

  • High volumes of pallets and bulk containers (octabins) used in raw material delivery.
  • The need to find reliable, consistent outlets for reuse rather than disposal.
  • Offsetting rising waste management costs and increasing environmental expectations from stakeholders.
  • Achieving a higher return for these valuable resources.

Our Commitments

To maintain zero landfill for pallets and octabins by maximising reuse through long-term partnerships.

Our Approach

Springvale has taken a targeted approach to packaging reuse:

  • We now have dedicated reuse partners for both pallets and octabins.
  • All usable and lightly damaged items are collected and reused within wider industry supply chains.
  • We have also enquired with our partners about the potential reuse of octabin liners, further strengthening our commitment to circular packaging practices.
  • Revenue generated from these reuse activities supports further improvements and helps offset other waste management costs.
  • We continuously monitor our performance to ensure high diversion rates and identify new opportunities for improvement where possible.

Impact and Achievements

  • Sustained 100% diversion from landfill for pallets and octabins.
  • Established reliable, long term partnerships that ensure consistent reuse outcomes.
  • Reduced environmental impact through circular packaging practices.
  • Financial return from reuse activities reinvested into broader sustainability efforts.
  • Decreased transport related emissions by using regional reuse partners.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Reuse

Springvale is committed to growing its packaging reuse success by:

  • Exploring options for the reuse of octabin liners.
  • Strengthening supplier and partner relationships to support efficient collection and reuse.
  • Reducing damage to packaging to increase the volume reused.
  • Training staff to manage and store reusable packaging for optimal recovery.
  • Supporting wider industry movements toward low carbon, circular packaging systems.

Conclusion

While pallets and octabins do not enter our production process, they are essential to how we receive materials. By treating them as resources rather than waste, Springvale is advancing reuse, preventing landfill, reducing reliance in waste to energy and contributing to a more sustainable packaging system one pallet and octabin at a time.

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