In early 2025, the Aarhus municipality reported that 69 tonnes of EPS (commonly known as “flamingo”) had been collected from its recycling centres and routed for processing—yielding an estimated 350 tonnes of CO₂ savings compared to incineration.
Each kilogram of collected EPS represents a climate benefit: recovering white EPS saves approximately 5 kg CO₂, while coloured variants save around 3 kg CO₂—due to avoided production emissions from virgin polystyrene and reduced landfill incineration impacts.
System Overview: Local EPS Recovery Loop
Aarhus’s approach relies on established recycling infrastructure:
- Households and small businesses deliver clean EPS to municipal recycling centres.
- Collected EPS is densified and transported to specialized processors.
- Recycled material is melted and remade into new EPS products—closing the loop.
- CRC partner BEWI Circular Denmark handles processing and integration into industrial reuse.
The system prioritises clean input streams and municipal collection points, ensuring materials are compatible with recycling pathways. Transport and processing data indicate CO₂ savings do not include transport emissions, making the final savings even more conservative.
Strategic Relevance
This initiative shows that local municipalities can make measurable climate contributions through targeted EPS collection—even where overall city-wide carbon reduction goals are much larger. It demonstrates:
- Operational delivery: Properly managed EPS recovery yields high returns per tonne collected.
- Municipal cost-effectiveness: Leveraging existing recycling centres and third-party partners minimizes new infrastructure requirements.
- Scalable impact: Similar models can be replicated across municipalities, generating immediate CO₂ reduction with low resource investment.
FACT BOX
| Item | Value |
| Location | Aarhus, Denmark |
| Collection system | Municipal recycling centres |
| Volume collected (2024) | 69 tonnes EPS |
| CO₂ savings estimated | 350 tonnes CO₂ |
| CO₂ saving per kg EPS | White: 5 kg CO₂; Coloured: 3 kg CO₂ |
| Processor | BEWI Circular Denmark |
| Key infrastructure | EPS densification and melting into recycled EPS feedstock |
Source:
“Kredsløb press release – Enorm mængde flamingo til genanvendelse i Aarhus giver anseelig CO₂‑besparelse” (25 February 2025) (kredslob.dk, eps-airpop.dk, eps-airpop.dk)
