Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Industry Launches ‘Smart Packaging Europe’ campaign
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Industry Launches ‘Smart Packaging Europe’ Campaign to Demonstrate the Economic, Environmental and Social Benefits of EPS Packaging
A group of 18 European companies active in expanded polystyrene (EPS) raw materials, packaging manufacturing and recycling today launched a campaign—Smart Packaging Europe—to highlight the environmental, economic and social benefits of EPS packaging.
The campaign launches as European policymakers and industry alike are striving for more resource-efficient and circular packaging and to reduce the amount of litter in the environment. Smart Packaging Europe aims to demonstrate that EPS has an important role to play in the future European packaging market.
“We fully support efforts to reduce pollution and are doing our part by investing in waste collection, recycling and increasing the use of recycled materials,” said Sven Heppes, spokesman of the campaign. “A variety of recycling options, combined with the fact that EPS packaging generally consists of a single polymer, make EPS one of the most recyclable packaging materials available.”
“At the same time, we want to make sure that decision-makers also understand the broader economic, social and environmental benefits of EPS packaging,” he said.
A lightweight mixture of 98% air and 2% polystyrene that offers excellent thermal insulation, protection against moisture and shock absorption, EPS is widely used as packaging of valuable objects from sensitive electronic equipment and white goods to fresh fish and super-cooled COVID-19 vaccines. It is also widely used in bicycle, ski and snowboard helmets, children’s car seats and life vests.
Because it is composed of 98% air, EPS is inherently resource efficient and helps to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions during transportation. It is also 100% recyclable—a fact that is often lost in the public debate. Across Europe, there are many small and medium-sized companies that specialise in recycling EPS.
Through its website, social media channels and events, Smart Packaging Europe will demonstrate the versatility, societal value and sustainability of EPS packaging, which protects many goods that people use in their daily lives as well as protecting people themselves.
