Insights
Trade group says EPS being recycled commercially – Recycling Today
By
The article highlights a notable milestone for expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging: according to survey data from Resource Recycling Systems, North American EPS transport packaging achieved an estimated recycling rate of roughly 31 % in 2022. The piece underscores how business-to-business recycling channels, rather than curbside systems, are driving this progress
In 2022, the EPS industry in the U.S. and Canada managed to recycle an estimated 84,000 tons of EPS packaging, equivalent to a recycling rate of about 31 % of post-consumer EPS packaging in those markets. Most of this recycling occurs through business-to-business arrangements—industrial, institutional or commercial uses of EPS—rather than via conventional curbside consumer collection programs.
The trade group EPS Industry Alliance describes this as “behind the scenes,” noting that while public awareness remains low, the infrastructure is increasingly active. One key factor is densification and baling of EPS foam, enabling economic shipment and reuse of the material; combined with overseas markets for recyclate, this allows EPS to enter circular streams that previously were thought economically unviable.
The article points out the continued perception barrier: many stakeholders and consumers still regard EPS as unrecyclable foam, which undermines investment and collection infrastructure. It also flags that while 31 % is a meaningful step, significant volume still goes to landfill or incineration; the remaining ~69 % indicates large untapped potential.
The article suggests future growth may stem from better collection drop-off programs, increased demand for recycled-content EPS feedstock, and adult education to shift perceptions.
For packaging professionals (such as in appliance transport, cold-chain insulation or major-goods ship protection), this piece reinforces that EPS transport packaging is not automatically a dead-end waste stream—when handled via industrial channels it can participate in a circular economy. However, scaling remains a challenge, particularly if one expects curbside or consumer-facing collection systems to do the heavy lifting.