Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is commonly recognised as the lightweight, shock-absorbing material that is often found in packaging and insulation. The white stuff that your last TV you bought was protected by – that’s almost definitely EPS. While it is 100% recyclable and is actually recycled at scale, there are many misperceptions the industry faces. 
EPS offers significant environmental benefits — and even more when it is recycled. Many people are unaware that this versatile material can be transformed into a wide range of products, including new packaging, durable items like picture frames, and even insulation for homes and buildings. By recycling EPS, we not only reduce the demand for virgin materials but also support sustainable construction practices that enhance energy efficiency.
The lightweight nature of EPS (it is 98% air) helps to reduce fuel consumption when transported, helping to significantly reduce CO2e emissions compared to heavier alternatives. Embracing EPS recycling isn’t just a smart choice for sustainability — it’s an opportunity to unlock the potential of a material that already contributes to a greener future.
The second edition of the British Plastic Federation’s (BPF) Recycling Roadmap, published at the end of 2024, was developed in partnership with RECOUP. Developing the vision established within the first 2021 edition, it aims for a combined reuse and recycling rate of 55% by 2030 and 70% by 2035. When the original roadmap was launched in 2021, the recycling rate for EPS packaging stood at 55%. The 2024 edition celebrated a significant achievement: a recycling rate of 66%. This figure was calculated by collecting raw data from UK convertors alongside UK and EU recyclers of EPS, alongside estimates from industry experts where necessary. That showed an impressive 20% increase in recycled EPS over just three years.
Last year, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in its updated Plastic Pollution Science report, stated that EPS transport packaging (e.g. fish boxes or protection of large items), which is the largest application of EPS packaging, is one of the packaging types being recycled at scale.[1]
Despite these achievements, reaching the full potential of a circular system for EPS requires government backing. With legislative support and the right mechanisms in place, the EPS industry — and EPS recyclers — can continue to thrive. The UK urgently needs to invest in expanding its recycling infrastructure. This means boosting our capacity for mechanical recycling but also actively championing innovative technologies like chemical recycling. Processing waste domestically brings numerous advantages, including greater oversight, enhanced transparency, improved traceability, and a reduced carbon footprint by cutting down transportation distances for recycled materials. By focusing on local solutions, we can make recycling systems more efficient, resilient and sustainable.
The UK government has taken a significant step forward by embracing the mass balance approach for chemical recycling under the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT). Often referred to as ‘advanced recycling’, these terms encompass groundbreaking technologies that can recycle a wider range of materials, unlocking new possibilities for a circular economy. These can complement existing mechanical recycling technologies and are a necessary component to fully realising the opportunities presented by EPS recycling. It opens the door to recycling EPS waste from the construction sector, even when contaminated with other materials. This means valuable EPS material can be repurposed into new products, diverting it from incineration or landfill.
The BPF’s Recycling Roadmap predicts 100 tonnes of chemically recycled material could be processed annually by 2030, rising to 400 tonnes by 2035. With mass balance now recognised, a significant barrier to industry investment in the UK has been removed. This recognition could pave the way for further investment, accelerating progress toward these ambitious recycling targets.
But how can we further improve EPS recycling now?
The government has an opportunity to significantly influence the EPS industry by optimising environmental legislation and existing systems. Currently, the EPS industry relies on exporting materials to registered mechanical recyclers in the EU, including Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. By investing in the recycling industry and fostering conditions that encourage UK-based recycling businesses, the government can reduce this reliance on exports, bolstering the UK’s recycling capacity and supporting progress towards the country’s net-zero commitments.
While EPS packaging is not typically included in standard household collection systems, it has found a place through business takeback schemes, voluntary business initiatives, household waste recycling centres and innovative trials, such as those conducted on university campuses. Despite this progress, EPS packaging remains on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) ‘red list’, saddled with higher fees that arguably fail to reflect the industry’s considerable advancements.
Raising awareness of ways to recycle EPS is critical. Many people are simply unaware of where they can recycle EPS locally. Education campaigns, integrated into EPR initiatives, should provide clear guidance on accessible recycling points, such as household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) and takeback schemes led by businesses. The BPF website hosts a map showing the location of all EPS recyclers, for those keen to locate the one nearest them.
Local councils also have a vital role to play. Councils that demonstrate best practices, actively engaging residents and optimising the collection of segregated EPS could be incentivised with rewards funded by EPR levies on EPS packaging.
The BPF’s Recycling Roadmap highlighted considerable progress in EPS recycling, as well as a pathway to greater success. With strong government backing and a reimagined EPR strategy, there’s a brighter, more sustainable future for EPS manufacturers, recyclers and users.
[1] Plastic pollution science (updated for the fourth session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee), April 2024
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