Sustainability & Expanded Polystyrene

Sustainability & expanded polystyrene EPS

With today’s growing concerns about the environment and climate change, expanded polystyrene is increasingly recognized as environmentally preferable for a host of reasons including its lightweight nature, its outstanding insulation properties and its low carbon footprint.

Is EPS Recyclable?

YES

Is EPS Safe?

YES
Plastic substitutes

It’s not as simple as good or bad

The reality is every material has consequences which must be considered and balanced for environmental benefits.

66%

of all EPS packaging is currently recycled

Source: EPS Group (2023)
Did You Know?

EPS is safe and effective for many product applications:

  • Transport packaging
  • Pharmaceutical packaging
  • Bicycle helmets
  • Live organ transport
  • Food service packaging
Expanded Polystyrene EPS packaging

EPS Life Cycle

EPS Expanded Polystyrene Life Cycle
Substitutions are risky
  • Not all paper packaging containers are recyclable
  • Heavier alternative packaging
  • Consumes more raw material, energy and landfill space
  • Meat, fish and produce shipped in EPS result in less food waste
  • Demand life cycle analysis of alternative materials
  • Verify recycling claims
Bans are ineffective
  • Bans do not reduce waste
  • Bans are not tied to environmental benefits
  • Bans can have unintended consequences

Find out more details in the pages in this section and in the downloads.