Blog: EPS and Circularity: Towards a Sustainable Future

What is EPS?
EPS or expanded polystyrene, is a plastic that consists mainly of air (98%) and a small percentage of expanded polystyrene (2%), popularly known as styrofoam. It is lightweight, insulating and shock-absorbing, which is why it is often used in packaging materials and building insulation. Due to its properties, EPS does not seem very environmentally friendly at first glance, as it is difficult to decompose and often ends up in nature as litter. Nevertheless, more and more successful research is being done into ways to make EPS circular.

The challenges of EPS in a Circular Economy
One of the biggest challenges with EPS is recycling. Because the basis of EPS consists of petroleum, this does not seem very environmentally friendly at first glance. Fossil raw materials carry a high CO2 content. Nevertheless, it is important that this material is still used because of its unique functionalities, but we must ensure that the value of the material is preserved as much as possible. It is therefore important to extend the lifespan of the application and ultimately to recycle as much as possible.

Solutions and Innovations for Circular EPS
Synprodo is working hard to facilitate a Circular EPS chain. Because this chain has challenges, such as pollution and quality of the recycled material, various innovations have been made. These focus on the development of sustainable materials and the services of the Circular Chain. We are happy to go through them with you:

1. Mechanical Recycling: EPS can be mechanically recycled by grinding it and reusing it for the production of new EPS. However, this requires the EPS to be pure. Many companies and municipalities have started initiatives to collect EPS separately from recycling centers and EPS processors such as Poredo, and thus guarantee the value of the collected material. A network of collection companies, sorters and recyclers is ready to recycle EPS.

2. Chemical Recycling: This is a technology that is becoming more and more popular. Chemical recycling involves breaking down EPS into its basic molecules, which can then be used to make new polystyrene. This process makes it possible to recycle contaminated or mixed EPS, which is not possible with mechanical recycling. The advantage of chemical recycling is that the quality of the recycled material is almost the same as that of virgin polystyrene.

3. Biodegradable EPS: In addition to the innovation to produce the traditional EPS, Synprodo has succeeded in developing a more sustainable alternative, namely BioFoam®. This is a raw material based on polylactic acid (PLA) that comes from vegetable waste. Thanks to a patented technology, heating and expansion makes it possible to create an even more sustainable alternative to EPS. BioFoam is the world's first biological foam material to be awarded cradle to cradle certification.

4. Collection and Awareness: To recycle EPS successfully, a good collection system is crucial. Synprodo is fully committed to this through the BEWI group, which enables us to close the loop. The used EPS can be handed in to Synprodo, in this way we can immediately mix 'post-consumer' material into our products. In addition, we also have recycling options at two sister companies in the Benelux. In this way, we can remove as much of our material as possible from the market. Awareness among consumers and businesses is also important. Because if you, as a company or consumer, want to hand in your EPS, you also want to know where you can do so. You can see an overview of the locations on the website www.slimverpakken.nl. By better separating EPS from other waste, more can be recycled and the effect on the environment is reduced. Good information about recycling plays a crucial role in achieving behavioral change.

The Future of EPS and Circularity
Although EPS initially seems to clash with the principles of circularity, there are plenty of opportunities to better integrate this material into a circular economy. Innovations in the field of recycling methodology and alternative materials offer hope for a more sustainable future. To achieve this, investments in new technologies and improved collection systems are necessary, as well as a change in how we interact with EPS in our daily lives. Synprodo takes its responsibility in this regard. Thanks to the intensive cooperation with our customers, we do everything in our power to complete the loop at the end of the lifespan of EPS products.

By no longer seeing EPS as a disposable product, but as a valuable raw material, we can take important steps towards a circular economy in which waste is a thing of the past and materials are reused again and again. It's a challenge, but also an opportunity to create a more sustainable world. Are there any challenges within your organisation in terms of packaging or circularity? Contact us and we will be more than happy to help you find the most suitable solution.

Do you want to return used EPS? Click here for an address near you