With their own initiative, the German manufacturers of EPS packaging (EPS = expanded polystyrene/styrofoam) have demonstrated in a pilot project that sorting out EPS from the Yellow Bag and subsequent recycling works and makes ecological and economic sense.
In a joint project with LVP sorting plant operators, it has been possible to separate EPS from the plastic fraction and collect it by type after various trials. Critical to success was the use of innovative infrared technology, which has made highly targeted sorting possible in the first place. The separated EPS was then granulated and foamed in the extruder. The result was high-quality recycled EPS, also known as rEPS.
Initial attempts to produce new packaging from this rEPS have already been carried out successfully. In particular the look, feel and protective functions of this rEPS packaging show very positive approaches. According to the project partners involved, the costs for the entire value creation are also within a market-acceptable range.
The pilot project is currently being further modified and optimised. The results will then be made available to interested dual systems and recycling plant operators. The German EPS packaging manufacturers are confident, to offer its customers packaging made from rEPS in the futurewhich also contain recycled material from the Yellow Bag. With their activities, they want to make an additional contribution to further improving the recycling rate for plastics from the Yellow Bag.
Due to the otherwise highly valued properties of EPS (light weight), separate sorting in the standard stream of packaging from the Yellow Bag has so far been considered too costly and unprofitable by all players. This can now be refuted for the first time with the experience gained from the pilot project. Based on the previous recycling of EPS packaging, it is classified as "non-recyclable" in accordance with the minimum standard of the Central Agency Packaging Register, as the EPS, which is actually easy to recycle, remains in the residual fraction of the LVP sorting plants, is then thermally utilised and thus lost as valuable recycling material.
The IK had repeatedly emphasised the very successful recycling of the vast majority of EPS outside the yellow bag and the very economically justifiable sorting and assessed the conclusion as a distortion of competition in accordance with the minimum standard.
EPS is known for its exceptional protective and insulating properties as a packaging material. As a pure mono plastic, it can also be recycled easily and to a high standard. Used EPS packaging, which is collected by type at recycling centres or from retailers, is a sought-after and valued raw material.
Source: IK Industrial Association for Plastic Packaging
