Expanded polystyrene (EPS) provides cushioning and insulation properties to protect shipped products. EPS is an amazingly simple material. 95% Air 5% Recyclable Plastic
Life Cycle Analysis evaluates the cradle to grave impact of products on the environment. Despite common perceptions, the environment impact of EPS is lower than cardboard when a Life Cycle Analysis is conducted.
We must remember the key role of protective packaging. Protective packaging provides the critical cushion protection that keeps energy intensive finished products from being damaged - and disposed into a landfill. EPS provides many key protective packaging benefits:
Absorbs shocks & vibration Protects temperature sensitive food and medical shipments Lightweight saves fuel during shipping Less energy intensive than alternate materials Less air/water pollution than alternate materials Protects energy intensive products from damage/disposal.
Only after reuse and recycling options have been exhausted should any packaging be deposited into a landfill.A comparison of U.S. landfills volume for polystyrene containers and packaging compared to paper and paperboard containers and packaging provides facts about landfill contents. Polystyrene containers and packaging comprise only 0.2%, while paper and paperboard containers and packaging are responsible for 11%. The disposal of paper in landfills and subsequent decomposition results in methane gas being released. Methane gas is a greenhouse gas that is over 20 times more effective in trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. References: 1. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of EPS, JEPSRA 2007 http://www.jepsra.gr.jp/environmental.html. 2. Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 2007 Facts & Figures United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid Waste (5306P) EPA530-R-08-010 November 2008.
