In June 2021, EPS manufacturer Jackon launched a factory-based return system for EPS waste—offering a free and accessible solution for customers, construction firms, and individuals in the Fredrikstad region.
The concept is simple but effective: clean EPS packaging, insulation cutoffs, or offcuts can be returned directly to the factory during normal delivery or pickup routes. The returned material is then used as raw material in new EPS production. There are no special requirements, no additional costs, and no carbon-intensive transport loops. Instead, Jackon integrates recovery directly into its normal outbound logistics—turning return visits into an opportunity for reuse.
“We want to show that EPS can and should be part of the circular economy,” said Marianne Mügge, Marketing Manager at Jackon. “This scheme allows us to take responsibility for what we produce—without adding logistical or economic friction.”
Unlike collection systems that rely on municipal coordination or dedicated waste contractors, Jackon’s model is entirely company-led. It allows citizens and businesses to drop off EPS on-site, and it ensures that all collected material meets quality standards for reuse. Because the material is clean and mono-material, it can be directly reintroduced into Jackon’s internal manufacturing loop.
While volumes and technical specifications were not published, the case is notable for its design logic: a manufacturer taking ownership of post-use material without waiting for regulation, subsidies, or new infrastructure. The initiative lowers CO₂ emissions not only through avoided landfill, but also by reducing virgin material demand and cutting transport-related emissions.
This system also provides an important signal to regulators: voluntary, low-friction recovery systems are possible for EPS when manufacturers embed return logistics into existing operations. Jackon’s system doesn’t treat EPS as an exception—it treats it as part of the full material cycle, one that begins and ends at the same facility.
FACT BOX
| Item | Value |
| Launch | June 2021 |
| Location | Fredrikstad, Norway |
| System model | On-site return at Jackon factory |
| Participation | Citizens and professional customers |
| Transport impact | None – returns use existing delivery flows |
| End use | Reused as feedstock for new EPS products |
| Operator | Jackon AS |
Source:
“Jackon lanserer returordning for EPS” — Plastforum.no, 9 June 2021
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