Industry experts have long known it was possible to recycle expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging.
Now, because of a recent report, it’s clear that the possibility is being put into action. In 2024, a total of 206.2 million pounds of EPS protective packaging was recycled in North America, an increase of more than 20% since 2022.
During the same period, post-consumer EPS recycling more than doubled, totaling 125 million pounds.
Within the effort to recycle EPS materials, transport packaging leads the way with an estimated 31% of all transport packaging being recycled.
The 2024 EPS Recycling Survey was recently completed by the EPS Industry Alliance. It collected data related to both pre- and post-consumer EPS recycling.
Infrastructure Support
Some of the success seen in EPS recycling is due to the strong infrastructure that supports the process:
EPS is an essential material, offering critical temperature stability for a wide range of products, from food to medication and vaccines. Its recyclability only expands its appeal as a primary choice for shipping and storing temperature-sensitive items.
Driven to Recycle
Recycling opportunities continue to expand through a widespread effort promoted by municipal programs, retail collection, drop-off sites and commercial recovery, resulting in a 77% increase in recycling over the past five years.
Another driver of recycling efforts is the demand for recycled products. Over half of the facilities that accept EPS materials for recycling are also using recycled materials in new products.
The ability to recycle EPS packaging is an exciting aspect of choosing it as a transport packaging material, and as this report demonstrates, it has clearly become a vital part of EPS sustainability as a long-term solution to cold chain packaging challenges.
For more information about EPS, including custom packaging and recycling options, contact us at Plastilite.