HELCOM Guidelines on Handling EPS and XPS at Construction and Demolition Sites
The HELCOM Guidelines to Handle EPS and XPS on Building and Demolition Sites (2025) provide practical recommendations on how to prevent Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) leakages from construction activities into the environment.
Developed in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including industry representatives and national associations, the Guidelines reflect best practices across the construction value chain. They cover every stage of the process, from the pre-planning phase and on-site handling to circular solutions that enable effective collection, recycling and reuse of EPS/XPS materials.
By promoting proper management of EPS and XPS, the Guidelines support:
- Reducing the risk of marine and land-based pollution;
- Increasing recycling and recovery rates;
- Enhancing the material’s contribution to energy efficiency and circularity;
- Improving the public perception of EPS and its environmental performance.
HELCOM (the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission) is an intergovernmental organisation uniting EU Member States and other countries around the Baltic Sea to protect the marine environment. These Guidelines were approved within HELCOM’s working structures and are expected to inform similar initiatives under OSPAR.