With all the recent buzz about EPS and EPS COVID-19 Vaccine Shippers, we want to remind you that EPS is 100% recyclable!
“Used in thousands of different ways by individuals and businesses around the world, expanded polystyrene (EPS) is relied upon to provide superior performance in various foam product applications” (EPS Industry Alliance). Overall, EPS fulfills protective packaging and insulation needs for a number of industries.
Packaging and Sustainability Facts About EPS
- Made of 98% air, EPS is an inert material without harmful chemicals that off-gas or leach during its use or disposal.
- If all EPS packaging were replaced with corrugated cardboard, paper, wood, molded fiber etc., compared with current figures raw material requirements would rise to 560%, power consumption to 215% and the landfill volume to 150%.
- EPS makes up less than 1% of the solid waste disposed of in U.S. landfills. (In contrast, paper and paperboard products make up about 31%.)
- EPS is safe to incinerate, with no toxic emissions. Only carbon dioxide, water vapor and a trace amount of ash are given off when EPS is burned.
Recycling EPS allows for a variety of applications to be made such as recycled foam packaging, durable goods and innovative new building products. Did you know Plymouth Foam (PF) hosts an EPS recycling drop off bin in the parking lot of our Plymouth, Wisconsin location? Fill up your car and drop off at any time of convenience! Not from the area? Find an EPS recycling location near you.
To learn more about EPS recycling, we encourage you to watch Expanded Polystyrene Recycling (How to Recycle Your Foam). Similar to the EPS Industry Alliance, PF is always striving to make the most environmentally responsible decisions.