The Journey of EPS Recycling and Reusability with EUMEPS
A packaging value chain seeking to improve circularity is marked by progress in the recycling and reuse of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). EUMEPS, through the Smart Packaging Europe initiative, contributes to technical, policy and market dialogue on practices that can extend the use phase and improve the end-of-life management of EPS packaging. Find out more below.
Advancements and Partnerships in EPS Recycling
EUMEPS advocates for the development of mechanical, physical and chemical recycling methods for EPS. Mechanical recycling involves processing used EPS into granules or other forms for use in new products. Chemical recycling can convert polystyrene into chemical feedstocks, subject to the specific technology and process used.
Through initiatives such as RecoTrace® and collaboration with recycling stakeholders, EUMEPS supports the development of information, collection and recycling pathways for EPS. By providing traceability tools and contributing to dialogue on specialised recycling facilities, EUMEPS seeks to help improve the conditions under which EPS waste can be captured, sorted and reprocessed. Actual recycling outcomes depend on product design, collection, sorting, recycling capacity and market conditions in each location.
Scientific Evidence Supporting the Recyclability of EPS Packaging
These technical approaches to recycling are underpinned by a growing body of scientific evidence assessing how EPS performs under defined processing and regulatory conditions.
A 2025 peer-reviewed study conducted by the Polymer Engineering Department of the University of Bayreuth provides evidence relevant to discussions on the recyclability of expanded polystyrene (EPS) bead foams. Published in Polymer Engineering & Science, the research evaluated EPS recycling performance under conditions designed to be relevant to the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
By simulating ten consecutive mechanical recycling cycles with a constant recycled content of 35% by weight, the study found that the EPS material assessed retained measured mechanical properties within the study’s defined test conditions, with limited and predictable degradation over the cycles examined. These findings contribute to discussions on recycled-content targets and material performance. They also highlight that achieving long-term PPWR objectives depends not only on material properties, but on effective sorting, recycling technologies and control of key processing steps across the value chain.
EPS Reusability and Reduction of Environmental Impact
Beyond recycling, EUMEPS supports discussion of reuse where it is appropriate for the application and can meet hygiene, safety and product-performance requirements. By developing guidelines and sharing best practices for the collection, reuse and recycling of EPS packaging, including in sectors such as food transport and pharmaceuticals, EUMEPS promotes resource-conscious packaging approaches.
We further aim to support the consideration of environmental impacts associated with EPS production and use. By promoting the adoption of relevant production improvements and encouraging packaging design that takes account of collection, sorting, recycling and, where appropriate, reuse, EUMEPS seeks to improve end-of-life outcomes for EPS. Any claim of carbon-footprint reduction requires substantiation through a lifecycle assessment for the specific product and system concerned.
Supporting EPS Reuse and Recycling
Through its work on recycling and reuse, EUMEPS contributes to the development of EPS packaging collection and recycling pathways. The organisation’s initiatives and advocacy support dialogue on technical, regulatory and market conditions relevant to the environmental performance of EPS packaging. As EUMEPS continues to engage with stakeholders, further progress will depend on coordinated action across design, collection, sorting, recycling and end markets for recycled material.