A new factsheet from NEPSA and EUMEPS highlights the findings of a 2025 lifecycle study by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). The study compared four packaging types—EPS, EPP, corrugated cardboard, and moulded pulp—used for transporting televisions and washing machines across Europe.
The results show that packaging must be evaluated on its ability to protect products during transport, not just on material composition. Even small increases in product damage rates drastically raise the overall climate footprint, outweighing differences between packaging materials.
EPS consistently achieved the lowest total climate impact in both product categories. Its light weight, protective performance, and recyclability meant fewer damaged goods and lower emissions across the supply chain. In fact, switching from EPS to cardboard or moulded pulp—even with higher recycling rates—would increase the overall climate impact.
This factsheet underlines a key point: sustainable packaging is not about material labels alone but about delivering goods intact with the lowest environmental cost.
[Download the full factsheet here]
