Recycling #6: Reforming EPS

Expanded Polystyrene, also known as EPS, has been a source of controversy ever since it’s invention in 1959. On one hand, it is a remarkably useful invention used widely in packaging for its shock absorbing abilities (Styrofoam peanuts and molds) and outstanding insulation properties (food packaging). On the other hand, it is unable to biodegrade when exposed to all the elements of the earth, on top of the flammability hazards and issues regarding o-zone depletion during its creation among other things. Acknowledging the contradicting qualities of EPS and other plastics, scientists and others began to see the need and benefits of recycling such materials so they could be produced into a form again without causing further harm to the environment. EPS Recycling in particular came to fruition in the early 1990’s, starting in 1991 when a nation-wide system known as the National Polystyrene Recycling Company was formally created to begin recycling EPS with the recycling number of “6”.

The process itself is often very expensive and labor intensive, since the actual recycling method involves sorting and breaking down of the post-recycled materials, and the heating and extrusion of the materials into a formless pile where they can then be stored and shaped for whatever future purpose intended. Due to this matter, recycling EPS is still rather scarce in comparison to other recycled materials. However, since the system’s inception it has seen steady growth and it receives more and more attention every year. According to the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers (AFPR), “post-consumer and post-commercial EPS is currently being recycled at an average annual rate of 10-12%.”

This trend of growth proves that EPS Recycling remains extremely significant to the further design and production of polystyrene products in the market. Without its introduction into the packaging market, it is likely EPS production in general would have fallen under the pressure of environmental concerns, and its incredible product performance would have been underutilized in today’s market.




Posted By: Rob Goodman

Sources:

Alliance of Foam Packaging Recycling. (2009). EPS Recycling. Retrived October 8, 2009 from http://www.epspackaging.org/info.html

Americanchemistry.com. (2007). Polystyrene Recycling- Long-term Market Trends. Retrieved October 8, 2009 from http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics/sec_pfpg.asp?CID=1437&DID=5229#

Glam Spirit. (2008). Eco-friendly Packing Material. Retrieved October 8, 2009 from http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blogs.glam.com/glamspirit/files/2008/07/packing-peanuts.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blogs.glam.com/glamspirit/2008/07/11/eco-friendly-packing-material/&usg=__HkctRJaLoFFLKwrlOtuV1l-Sdzk=&h=346&w=347&sz=135&hl=en&start=2&sig2=uLvg44iIRjTdNrYGpeak0A&um=1&tbnid=qEjs3ZHXHhnKWM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfoam%2Bpeanuts%26hl%3Den%26um%3D1&ei=hKzOStG2O4fktAPqmNy_Dg.

Hong, Charlie. (2007, July 20). Polystyrene recycling, Styrofoam recycling [video file]. Retrieved October 8, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvHuX32_--g.