Posts published during January, 2012
Benefits of Recyclers:
● Earn money by recycle EPS foam
● Better public impression by going green
● Simple machine, safe operation
● No odor, no waste water
● Energy saving by cold compacting
● Save money by reducing dumpsters
Community Benefits:
● Reduce landfill
● Reduce transportation cost for waste hauling
● Cleaner environment
When evaluating the environmental aspects of a packaging material or system, it is necessary to take into account the package performance, environmental impact during its lifecycle and end-of-life options.The transport packaging of expanded polystyrene (EPS) is smart, safe and sustainable. With EPS cushioning you can achieve less weight and lower damage rates which translate into positive sustainability factors across the board. EPS can be same-recycled into a product of equal value or up-cycled into a product of higher value. And, EPS is often less energy intensive than the other alternative choices.
Based on the Sustainable Packaging Coalition definitions for sustainable packaging, EPS demonstrates favorable environmental performance in many aspects, making it a worthy consideration for product shipments that require superior protection.
Safe & Healthy Throughout Its Life Cycle
• Made of 98% air, EPS is an inert material without harmful chemicals.
• EPS is widely recognized as it is a safe choice for use in food contact packaging by government regulatory agencies
throughout the world.
Meets Performance & Cost Market Criteria
• EPS offers significant savings in design and development, product assembly and distribution costs for its versatility.
• With customized packaging designs EPS delivers exactly the right amount of product protection. Its high tensile
strength and cellular structure give this lightweight product exceptional cushioning properties.
Maximizes Renewable or Recycled Source Materials
• Recycled EPS is used in both closed-loop and open-loop processes to make a variety of applications from recycled-content foam packaging which use in durable goods and innovative new building products.
• In 2006 more than 52% of all EPS collected for recycling was used to make recycled-content packaging.
Uses Clean Production Technologies & Best Practices
• Innovations in manufacturing technologies ensure EPS production minimizes energy consumption with mold cavities that cool quickly and manufacturing processes that recycle water and recapture air emissions.
• Most of the EPS manufacturers are ISO certified.
Physically Designed to Optimize Energy & Materials
• EPS feedstock is converted into a finished product 32 times its original volume—virtually turning air into a strong
and efficient packaging material.
• 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%.
It is important to note that recycled EPS can be categorized into two types of material:
1. Post Consumer refers to a material or finished product that has served its intended use and has been discarded for disposal or recovery, having completed its life as a consumer item.
2. Post Industrial is recovered industrial and manufacturing materials that are diverted from municipal solid waste for the purpose of collection, recycling, and disposition.
The practice of recycling EPS B&C products can be accomplished by various methods.Manufacturers of EPS will reintroduce postindustrial scrap into the manufacturing process eliminating waste within the plant.The level of scrap is carefully monitored as to avoid compromising the integrity of the product.
Post-construction EPS waste can be reground and mixed with concrete to produce new building products such as Rastra and prefabricated concrete blocks. Adding EPS regrind increases the thermal performance of these applications in addition to providing an alternative to the landfill. An example of post-consumer EPS use can be found in products such as decking and lumber.
Packaging recycling has obtained an annual recycling rate of over 12%. This success is based on the collection of a larger commercial waste stream as compared to other applications of EPS. With regard to recycling on a jobsite, the amount of recoverable EPS insulation is minimal and the economics to recycle a small amount may outweigh potential benefits. Some building projects would have the potential for recycling but they would have to be evaluated on a case-bycase basis.
Expanded polystyrene insulation makes a significant contribution to building and construction needs without adversely affecting the environment. As green building initiatives grow, more education is needed to understand how plastics can enhance our lives and minimize our footprints on the earth.
Styrofoam recycling for a better environment
