Trade group says EPS being recycled commercially

An industry trade group is pointing to a survey conducted by Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) that indicates expanded polystyrene (EPS) transport packaging, or plastic foam packaging, has attained a 31 percent recycling rate in North America.

The RRS survey calculated that some 84,000 tons of EPS was diverted from landfills and recycled in 2022. That total includes about 30,500 tons of postconsumer EPS packaging, pointing to a potential 31 percent recycling rate in the United States and Canada.

According to the Crofton, Maryland-based EPS Industry Alliance (EPS-IA), much of the EPS recycling activity primarily occurs through business-to-business systems and alternative channels, rather than traditional curbside programs for consumers.

EPS-IA defines postconsumer material as products that are generated by households or by commercial, industrial and institutional facilities in their role as end users of an EPS product that can no longer be used for its intended purpose.

“Because EPS recycling primarily occurs behind the scenes with independent contracts to supply recycled content feedstock and overseas sales of EPS recyclate, many people don’t realize how much is actually being recycled,” says Betsy Bowers, executive director of EPS-IA. “The fact that we’re diverting such a significant amount of material from landfills shows the real impact of these channels, which aren’t as visible to the public as curbside recycling.”

The alternative streams that drive EPS recycling continue to grow, supported by investments in infrastructure and innovative recycling technologies, the group says.

According to EPS-IA, companies in the EPS industry collectively have invested $185 million in recycled-content resin technologies and processes that incorporate postconsumer recycled EPS foam into new resin formulations, and thus reduce reliance on virgin materials.

Approximately 39,500 tons of annual capacity in such processing is currently operational, according to the trade group, with an additional 75,000 tons planned.

“These efforts have resulted in growing demand for recycled-content EPS, which is widely used in rigid polystyrene (PS) applications like picture frames, coat hangers and as a concrete aggregate,” EPS-IA says.

Additional recycled-content PS end markets include building and construction materials, safety helmets, automotive applications, new packaging and furniture.

EPS-IA says initiatives and grants from groups such as the Virginia-based Foam Recycling Coalition (FRC) have helped provide consumer access to EPS recycling.

Between 2019 and 2023, the number of consumers benefiting from the FRC densifier grant program grew from 4 million to 12.4 million, EPS-IA says. During that period, the amount of EPS collected for recycling from FRC-supported programs nearly doubled, rising from about 420 tons to 800 tons, adds the group.

EPS-IA also points to New Jersey-based Foam Cycle, which offers a “turnkey” EPS recycling system to municipalities, as having gained traction in 29 cities, increasing consumer access by another 5,750 tons.

“As EPS recycling infrastructure continues to develop, EPS-IA encourages consumers and businesses alike to take advantage of the more than 400 drop-off locations available, which can be found via EPS-IA’s North American EPS Recycling Map,” the group says.

“EPS is being recycled in increasing quantities, and the growth in access and infrastructure points to more progress ahead,” Bowers adds. “With continued innovation and investment, EPS recycling can significantly contribute to a more sustainable economy. We encourage businesses and communities to tap into these expanding opportunities.”